If it was not for the collapse of Manchester City since the start of the year, a lot more attention would be focused on the implosion that is taken place at White Hart Lane.
A couple of months ago Spurs were being talked up as a possible title contender. Then came the “Harry for England” stories, and suddenly Spurs seem incapable of winning games anymore.
Today Spurs lost 2-1 at home to Norwich, a result combined with Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Bolton leaves the two club tied on 59 points in third place. If Chelsea beat Fulham tonight, we will have a three-way tie for the final Champions League place with five games to go.
Anthony Pilkington gave Norwich a shock lead at White Hart Lane, but after Jermain Defoe equalised after 33 minutes, most Spurs fans expected them to go on an win the match. But a great strike from Elliott Bennett midway through the second half meant that Tottenham have picked up only six points from their last eight matches, in serious jeopardy.
Not qualifying for the Champions League next season could have massive implications for Tottenham going forward. Without another season of Champions League football, will they be able to keep the likes of Modric, Bale and Van der Vaart or will the Spurs stars look to leave for what they would consider to be bigger clubs?
That is not a concern in Newcastle where the Toon Army are celebrating their 2-0 home win over Bolton. Newcastle had to battle hard to break down relegation-threatened Wanderers but broke the deadlock after 73 minutes thanks to a wonderful individual goal by Hatem Ben Arfa, who ran all of 70 yards before beating Adam Bogdan. Papiss Demba Cissé’s then finished off Bolton with his tenth league goal since signing in January. Alan Pardew has done a fantastic job at Newcastle and European football of some sort (Champions League or Europa League) looks like returning to St. James Park next season.
Elsewhere Everton warmed up for their FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Saturday by thrashing Sunderland 4-0 thanks to second half goals from Magaye Gueye, Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman and a Jack Colback’s own goal.
