Carrick wants Spurs to maintain focus

MICHAEL CARRICK has called on Tottenham to maintain their focus and secure a top-four finish following a controversial final north-London derby at Highbury.

“We have been in this position for a number of months now and even though the pressure has been building, we have still been getting results,” said the 24-year-old.

“If we win both games, at home to Bolton and away at West Ham, we will be there - but it is not going to be easy. They are two really tough games, so we are going to have to be at our best.”

Despite Spurs’ progress, Arsenal could yet scupper their bid for elite level European football next season should they go on to win the Champions League in May, and would then return as holders at the expense of the fourth-placed domestic side - a rule brought in by UEFA following Liverpool’s 2005 win.

Manager Martin Jol said: “It would be horrific if we missed out. If we finished fourth and did not get in and someone else from Andorra or somewhere like that got into the Champions League, it would be a nightmare.”

On the moment of controversy, a diplomatic Jol reflected: “If the player was really injured, then I would tell the players that in future they should kick the ball out.”