Tottenham Hotspur Football Club

• Nickname:Spurs
• Founded:1882
• Manager:André Villas-Boas

• Ground:White Hart Lane
• Capacity:36240

Harry unhappy with poor show

25 Apr 2010 - 10:35:46

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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp blamed a lack of defensive discipline for Saturday's potentially costly 3-1 defeat at Manchester United.

Spurs' hopes of finishing fourth in the Premier League and claiming the final Champions League qualifying place had improved following back-to-back victories over Arsenal and Chelsea.

However, two second-half penalties following clumsy challenges from Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Wilson Palacios cost the north London club dearly at Old Trafford.

The two spot-kicks came either side of a neat finish from Nani after Ledley King had cancelled out the first penalty from Ryan Giggs in the 58th minute.

"I thought we were right in the game at 1-1, we looked in great shape, but unfortunately we didn't defend well," said Redknapp.

"We gave away sloppy penalties. I said before the game not to go to ground and it was just poor defending.

"Then we didn't pick up runners for their second goal and that has cost us dearly.

"We didn't hold the ball well enough up front either, that was another problem. We weren't strong enough to bring other people into play and we had an opportunity up there because we were two on two for most of the game.

"If we'd held the ball better we could have brought players into the game.

"I can't put my finger on it, but one or two players were off the pace, players that normally do very well for us. Overall, it was disappointing."