22 Feb 2010

Tottenham go 4th in EPL

7:38 am on 22 February 2010

Tottenham have moved ahead in the race to qualify for the European Champions League after a 3-nil win at Wigan lifted them into fourth place in the English Premier football League.

Harry Redknapp's team had started the day in sixth place but, with Manchester City and Liverpool drawing nil-all, it was Spurs who ended the weekend in the final Champions League slot thanks to Jermain Defoe's goal and a late double from Roman Pavlyuchenko.

At Eastlands, there were far fewer opportunities for either side to steal a march on their rivals as Liverpool opted for a cautious approach that City completely failed to overcome.

It was hardly the performance to dispel reports of dressing room unrest at City, although boss Roberto Mancini and Liverpool conterpart Rafael Benitez insisted the result was fair to both teams.

Aston Villa remain firmly in the hunt for a Champions League place after thrashing Burnley 5-2, their 13th loss in 14 away league games.

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora fired the Cottagers into ninth place as his stoppage time free-kick secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Birmingham.

At a snowy Ewood Park, Bolton were buried under an avalanche of goals as Blackburn romped to a 3-nil win over their struggling Lancashire rivals.