Crouch Books European Tour For Tottenham

"An International striker needs to take chances from 5 yards out, I'm sorry, he just has to." These were the damming words levelled at Peter Crouch by commentator Andy Gray, after Crouch missed arguably the chance of the game with a free header, from 5 yards out. Five minutes later, with some sort of poetic justice, Younes Kaboul rifled the ball across the box. It took a slight deflection on it's way, meaning on loan Man City goalkeeper could only parry. 5 yards out and who did it fall too? Peter Crouch. The England striker was given what some are calling a £30 million second chance. This time, he made no mistake.

Tottenham held on for what is the biggest win of their sesaon. Finally they have reached the Champions league. Finally the years of heartache and shortcomings have been forgotten. Finally they are no longer 'the other' team in North London.

Harry Redknapp knows that this is the beginning of the journey. He will be quick to correct any players who think the hard work has been done. Their joy at reaching the Champions league may be unfounded but Redknapp will explain that their reward is simple. It means they need to work harder, to train more intensely and most importantly, play even better than they have done this year. No longer is the North London derby or their fascinating battles with Chelsea going to be the biggets games of the season. They, given that they get through their qualifier, are challenging Europe's elite. Tottneham have wanted to be a great club. They are halfway there. Consitency from now on will determine how close they get to their goal.

That aside, hats off to redknapp and his coaching team. Years ago, Tottenham teams of old will have fallen away in the latter stages of the season. Not so this year. In fact they have started to look more dangerous. City should take note. Both teams play a similar way. Wide wing men getting at the full backs with a holding midfielder allowing the more creative player ahead of him to pull the strings. The one and major difference i saw between the two teams was Peter Crouch. When City would play the ball into Adebayor, more often than not, he would get dispossessed meaning they would have to go directly to Bellamy and Johnson. In doing so, the centre backs King and Dawson can tuck in behind their full backs and give them cover. Tottenham however would find Crouch and the ball would stick. He may not look stylish in doing so, at times he looks like he may fall over but he keeps it and brings Bale and Lennon into play well. With the ball going into Crouch before finding it's way wide, it gives the widemen space as they receive the ball. Space and pace terrify defenders.



And so finally, what next for Mancini? He looked dejected and confused at the final whistle. How could City not get the goal needed with all that firepower on the fire. He looked like a man who could not find the answer. Regardless of wether he goes or stays, City have had their best season in years. However, here's the thing. Mark Hughes was sacked and we were told that the reason was that they didnt feel he would reach the 70 point target the owners had set for City. Should someone gently make the owners aware that after last night's result the maximum points City can end on is 69? I would be more than willing too....