Peter Crouch on song in Premiership crunch game

Updated on: 06 May,2010 07:45 AM IST |
AFP |

Peter strikes as Spurs beat Man City to earn EPL fourth spot and qualify for Champions League

Peter strikes as Spurs beat Manchester City to earn EPL fourth spot and qualify for Champions League

Harry Redknapp's team will finish fourth in the Premier League, guaranteeing a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds, after Crouch's 82nd minute winner at Eastlands opened up a four-point advantage over fifth-placed City with just one match to play.

A fixture dubbed a 50 million pounds play-off for a place in Europe's elite club competition lived up to its' billing as both sides went for broke, but it was Spurs who were deserved winners.

Crouch's header hit the woodwork early on before Ledley King had a headed goal ruled out for a foul on Gareth Barry.

It took fine stops from Marton Fulop to deny Spurs' Crouch and Jermain Defoe in the second half. Crouch finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute, heading home from close-range after Fulop pushed Younes Kaboul's cross into his path.

Redknapp said: "It's fantastic. It's been a terrific season for us. We've played some great football along the way and we deserve it."

City manager Roberto Mancini could be sacked as a result of his failure to secure fourth place, but asked whether he thought he would be staying, he said: "I think so. It's disappointing but I think we've had a good season because we'll play in the Europa League next year and we've improved a lot."

Elsewhere, Stoke City moved into 10th place with a 1-0 win over Europa League finalists Fulham.

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