Gomes talks up title chances

13 December 2010 21:00

Heurelho Gomes insists Tottenham are still in the Barclays Premier League title hunt after their 1-1 draw with champions Chelsea.

But the Spurs goalkeeper, who was at fault for Didier Drogba's equaliser on Sunday before saving a penalty from the Ivory Coast striker which he conceded, admitted they must start keeping clean sheets if they are to maintain their challenge at the top of the table.

The result left fifth-placed Spurs five points off the summit and Gomes said: "Teams like Man United or Chelsea, they keep a lot of clean sheets. We just changed the way we play now. We need time to adapt."

He added: "Sometimes, we need to be more compact, defending, to keep more clean sheets. We concede goals because we attack as well. This season, we have a player like Luka Modric playing in midfield. I think we are still up there; we can keep going and can finish up there."

Spurs' solidity was boosted by the surprise return from injury of Michael Dawson, who led by example more than three months since his previous first-team appearance.

"He's a great player," said Gomes. "We kept a lot of clean sheets together last season. He was great for us and I think he's amazing in front of me. He's started now and he needs time to adapt."

Victory would have moved Tottenham to within three points of top spot and one of their opponents.

Admitting he was "angry" his side threw away another lead, Gomes insisted Spurs should now be ranked on the same level as the champions.

"It's not easy to play against a team like Chelsea," he said.

"When you come to a game like that and people say Tottenham can win the game, this shows for the players and for everybody how good we are. We must keep going and try to pick up points."

Source: PA