Manchester City are no better than Tottenham, claims Harry Redknapp

11 May 2011 07:54
ShareTottenham boss Harry Redknapp does not believe Manchester City are a better side than his own despite seeing the Blues pip Spurs in the race for Champions League football by beating them 1-0 at Eastlands on Tuesday night. [LNB]City's top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League and a place in Europe's elite club competition was secured thanks to Peter Crouch's 30th-minute own goal. [LNB] Is that the way to fourth spot? Man City will play in the Champions League after beating Tottenham at Eastlands [LNB]It came almost exactly a year after the striker had scored the winner in the same fixture last season to clinch Tottenham's Champions League qualification at City's expense.[LNB] It is a different story this time, with Spurs lying sixth in the table with two games to go and nine points behind fourth-placed City, who Redknapp expects will continue spending heavily on new signings over the summer. [LNB]But as far as the 64-year-old is concerned, Roberto Mancini's current group of players are in no way superior to what he is working with at White Hart Lane. [LNB] Tall order: Crouch (left) scored an own goal as City won 1-0 [LNB]'It seems to me they can go as far as they want to go,' Redknapp said. 'The sky is the limit. [LNB]'They have an owner who can spend anything he wants and they could go out and buy another four or five world-class players in the summer and try to win the Champions League. It won't be beyond them. [LNB]'They have good players already but I wouldn't say they are any better than us to be truthful.' [LNB]Tottenham were without Gareth Bale, whose disrupted season was ended on Saturday when he sustained ankle ligament damage in the 1-1 draw with Blackpool. [LNB] Over the line: Crouch scores an own goal past Cudicini one year after netting the winning strike at Eastlands [LNB]'If Bale hadn't got injured, I think we would have been very close,' Redknapp added. 'There is very little in it.'[LNB] Luka Modric wasted a glorious chance before Crouch put the ball into his own net and City goalkeeper Joe Hart produced a superb save to deny Steven Pienaar immediately after the interval. [LNB]Spurs have now won only one of their last 10 league matches in a disappointing end to a season which has included so many highs but drifted away alarmingly in the last few weeks. [LNB]Redknapp has been left to rue the injuries and loss of form of key personnel, but feels the team have still been performing well and remains optimistic for the future. [LNB] End of the road: Tottenham won't be in the Champions League next season, but Redknapp insists his side are as good as Man City [LNB]'The biggest problems in this run where we have fallen out of the top four are that we lost Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart has suddenly become a bit jaded due to the World Cup and not having a pre-season,' Redknapp said. [LNB]'When they were in top form we were killing teams off as well as playing good football. "Not too many teams play better than we do. That means a lot to me. I enjoy watching us play. I would rather that than us play awful football and keep lumping the ball. [LNB]'I want to enjoy the last few years I have got in football.'[LNB]  City over the Blue Moon! Crouch gaffe hands Eastlands a Champions League spotManchester City 1 Tottenham 0: Crouch own goal seals Blues place in Champions League Watch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video playerTevez FA Cup final watch: King Carlos back with a word or two for Mancini Explore more:People: Joe Hart, Peter Crouch, Harry Redknapp, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale Places: Europe

Source: Daily_Mail