Source: Daily_Mail
Tottenham out to derail Chelsea's title bid
Jermain Defoe has warned Chelsea that Tottenham are confident of wrecking their title dreams in order to put themselves back in the race for Champions League qualification.[LNB]Tottenham's hopes of bringing another enthralling season of Champions League football to White Hart Lane look to be fading after they drew with West Brom and Manchester City beat Blackburn on Monday night.[LNB]Roberto Mancini's men now hold a four point lead over their closest rivals for fourth while a resurgent Liverpool trail Spurs by just three points, although they have played one game more than the Londoners.[LNB] Ton up: Jermaine Defoe scored his 100th Premier League goal against West Brom[LNB]To make matters worse, Harry Redknapp's men face a tough run-in that includes games against City and Liverpool as well as Saturday's London derby at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]Spurs have not won at Chelsea for 21 years and face a team looking to keep their slim title hopes alive, but Defoe sees no reason why he and his team-mates cannot pull of a shock.[LNB]'It's a massive game,' Defoe told Tottenham's website.[LNB]'I think they have picked it up from their little dip in form but we always play well against the top teams and I think we are good enough to go there and win.[LNB]'We are all looking forward to it and I'm sure that all the lads are confident that we can do it.'[LNB]Defoe finally ended a month-long wait to score his 100th club goal last weekend.[LNB]Simon Cox's late equaliser left a bitter taste in the 28-year-old's mouth, but he thinks he will be playing Champions League football with Tottenham next year so long as his team-mates treat each of their remaining games as a must-win fixture.[LNB] Spot on: Heurelho Gomes saves Didier Drogba's penalty during Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in December[LNB]'Every game is like a cup final so we have to just approach every game thinking we can win it,' Defoe added.[LNB]'Last season it was tight but we did it. We just picked up at the right time in the last few games. We have some big games coming up against top sides again this year so let's just see what happens.'[LNB]After rubbing shoulders with the likes of Inter Milan, AC Milan and Real Madrid this year, Defoe thinks that Tottenham deserve to be in the top four and believes there is a strong sense of belief within the camp that they can do it.[LNB]'We all think we can get fourth,' Defoe said. 'This season has been special for everyone at the club.[LNB]'We have shown that we have good enough players to compete at that level.[LNB]'I missed a lot of the games through injury so for me I'm desperate to play Champions League again. It's the best competition in the world.'[LNB]Fears have been raised about the futures of many of Tottenham's star players should they fail to qualify for the Champions League.[LNB] Wing wizard: Gareth Bale (right) has attracted the attention of Europe's top clubs[LNB] Gareth Bale has reportedly attracted the attention of a number of European clubs while Chelsea were also linked with a ?40million move for the winger.[LNB]In line with club policy, the Blues would not make any comment on the matter, while Tottenham have repeatedly stated their desire to hold on to their prize asset.[LNB]It is understood that the club would rebuff any bids for Bale this summer, who has recently signed a new contract at White Hart Lane.[LNB]Meanwhile, South African defender Bongani Khumalo has undergone an operation after he broke a bone in his foot while playing for Preston against Millwall on Saturday.[LNB]The centre-back signed from Supersport United in January and is yet to make his Spurs first team debut.[LNB]He did impress during his six-match loan spell with Phil Brown's team though and will be hoping to stake a claim for a first team place at White Hart Lane next season once he has recovered from the injury.[LNB]The club are awaiting results of tests on a hamstring injury that Benoit Assou-Ekotto suffered at the weekend.[LNB] We must beat Chelsea! Dawson rallies Spurs in final push for fourth placeWhat the back pages say: Chelsea set to raid Tottenham for ?40m Bale Van der Vaart's roaming leaves Redknapp in a right quandary at SpursAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Harry Redknapp, Simon Cox, Roberto Mancini, Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe, Phil Brown Places: Liverpool, London
