Redknapp still short of festive spirit

IF Tottenham’s chastened squad believed this victory would offer the most sincere apology imaginable to Harry Redknapp, they should think again.

This might have been one of the club’s more impressive victories of the season, but the players will still be summoned to face the music at their Essex training ground this morning, with hefty fines set to be dished out to the ‘Dublin 16’ who transgressed by holding a Christmas party without Redknapp’s knowledge 13 days ago..

“I was disappointed they did not ask me,” said Redknapp, who confirmed any fines levied would be given to charity. “They have done nothing wrong. It did not affect any results.

“I said I did not want them to have a party and that was the only disappointing part for me. That is all part of growing up, I suppose. We will sort them out on Monday.”

The atmosphere might have been more sulphurous had Spurs slumped in the Lancashire sleet on Saturday, but instead they turned in a performance which blended strength and subtlety to chalk up a notable win that kept them on the coat-tails of Arsenal and Aston Villa in the race for Champions League qualification.

Peter Crouch made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time when he headed home following a cross from Niko Kranjcar, who chased a lost cause before delivering the ball into the box.

Benni McCarthy should have equalised but his effort came back off the post and Crouch sealed it with a cool finish eight minutes from time.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce felt Crouch’s contribution was especially crucial.

“The quality in the finishing between the sides was the difference,” Allardyce admitted. “I have always been a great admirer of Crouch. He showed his quality and is a top striker in the Premier League.

“We are lacking in the final third but we have not got £20-25million to put that right.

“The most clearcut chance we had fell to Benni and he normally puts those in the net, but the goalkeeper seemed to get a touch.”

Redknapp praised Crouch, who was once again preferred to Robbie Keane up front, for putting in a hard shift and helping secure the victory.

“Crouchy got two good goals and deserved to get on the scoresheet,” he said. “He works hard for the team.

“We had a setback against Wolves but came back against Manchester City. This was a great result today.

“If you had said six points from three games you would have taken them. It has been a good week. It was not a pretty game but one Tottenham have lost in the past.

“It was a tough match but we have collected three points and kept a clean sheet away from home. I have to be pleased with that.

“It was not free-flowing football like it was in midweek against Manchester City. However we were solid at the back and the goalkeeper did well for us.”

It was a frustrating day for Allardyce, who was marking his first anniversary at the club. “While I am concerned with the number of points gained considering the performances we have put in, we must not panic too much,” he said.

“As hard as we tried after Benni’s chance we couldn’t find another opening. It is one of our problems. We changed the system to go more attacking but Crouchy finished us off.

“We are bitterly disappointed with the result and getting no reward after doing a great job on one of the most attack-minded sides in the league.”

REFEREE: Peter Walton (Northants) 7: The conditions were treacherous but Walton made allowances and handled things well.

MATCH RATING: *** Very impressive from Spurs, for whom this kind of gnarled victory is something of an anathema.