Tottenham's Heurelho Gomes vows to bounce back from Real Madrid gaffe

14 April 2011 10:45
Heurelho has vowed to bounce back from his howler against Real Madrid and prove to his team-mates that they can count on him during Tottenham's difficult run-in.[LNB] Spurs were holding their own against the nine-time European champions in the quarter-final second leg until Gomes spilled a routine 30-yard shot from Cristiano Ronaldo. The goal meant Harry Redknapp's dream of a place in the last four was over having gone into the second leg with a 4-0 deficit after last week's hammering at the Bernabeu. [LNB]The mistake was not Gomes' first in a Tottenham shirt. The Brazilian made a number of high-profile errors shortly after his arrival from PSV Eindhoven in 2008, but in fairness, he has performed well this season. [LNB] Fatal fumble: Gomes's gaffe was the final straw as Spurs crashed out of the Champions League [LNB]He admits he was to blame for the defeat to Madrid, but knows he must recover quickly so his team-mates know they trust him as they set about the task of pipping Manchester City to fourth place. [LNB]'The ball moved a little bit but it was a mistake and I accept it,' Gomes said. 'This was not my first mistake and I know it will not be the last one in my career, but I need to show character like I did before. [LNB]'I know I was so important for the club and I need to move on because they need me. We have a lot of big games coming up and I need to recover quick. It was a difficult moment for me but I have to look forward because I know how important that is for the team.'[LNB] Uh oh: Gomes flaps at Cristiano Ronaldo's long-range shot on Wednesday night[LNB] The defeat brought to an end adream debut season in the competition that has seen Tottenham overcomeboth Milan giants, Werder Bremen, FC Twente and Young Boys to make thelast eight. [LNB]Gomesbelieves the fact that Spurs have been able to overcome some of thebiggest teams on the continent proves that it will not be long beforethey are serious contenders for the biggest prize in European clubfootball. [LNB]'It's not easy qualifying in first place and then to play against AC Milan and Real Madrid in our first season is great,' the goalkeeper added. 'If we continue to play like we have done in the last few games then I think we can continue improving. [LNB]'There are a lot of teams with more experience in the competition, but I think we are on the right way to challenging (for trophies) and we need to keep going now.'[LNB] Taste of the big time: Spurs now turn their attentions to gaining a place in next season's competition[LNB]Gomes has urged his team-mates toforget the 5-0 aggregate loss and earn a place in next year'scompetition by clawing back the three-point gap between themselves andCity. [LNB]He said: 'The dream is over but we will still keep going to make sure we get a place in next year's competition. There are a lot of big games coming up and we need to look forward to those games. This season is not over yet.'[LNB] Gomes could think of no better way of drawing level with City than by beating Arsenal next Wednesday to complete the club's first league double over their local rivals for 18 years. [LNB]'Our next game against Arsenal will be massive for us,' he said. 'We know that and we want to be in the top four and we need to be strong.'  [LNB] Tottenham 0 Real Madrid 1 (agg 0-5): Spurs Euro adventure ends after Gomes gaffeLet's do it again! Harry wants another crack at the Champions League White Hart Lane match zone: Spurs count the cost of Gomes' errorAll the latest Tottenham Hotspur FC news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Redknapp Places: Madrid, Milan

Source: Daily_Mail