Harry aiming high as Hammers nailed

IT WAS suggested in the aftermath of this latest success for Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham Hotspur, that perhaps it is time they start looking towards a challenge for the Premier League title.

It was the manager of West Ham United, Gianfranco Zola, who declared that there is no reason why the North London outfit should be dismissed from discussions over who will collect the championship in May.

But even after goals from Luka Modric and Jermain Defoe secured this victory yesterday Redknapp will not get carried away by such praise.

“I’ve set the goals high,” said Redknapp. “Why can’t we finish in the top four? It’s easy for me to say if we can do better than last year and finish seventh and that way I don’t come under any pressure if we don’t make the Champions League, but there’s no reason we can’t do it.

“It’s not impossible. We’ve got a strong squad with good players.”

One man who certainly is feeling optimistic over the future is Modric.

He suffered a fracture of the fibula for Tottenham against Birmingham City in August, and made his first start since then in this encounter.

His influence was fantastic, as he scored the first goal and covered almost every blade of grass before being replaced by fellow countryman Niko Kranjcar in the dying stages.

While Tottenham were dominant throughout it took a moment of brilliance to secure the points, as Defoe dribbled the ball across the West Ham penalty box on 81 minutes and rifled a shot at goal.

The ferocity of the shot left Robert Green stunned and the goalkeeper could do little as the rebound fell to Defoe, who sent an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

Defoe’s goal may have been a long time coming but it was, in truth, no less than what Tottenham deserved.

Which brings us back to Zola’s thoughts on why Tottenham should head into 2010 with no fear.

“Spurs have such a good squad, and have everything to be competitive,” he said. “It’s down to them, they might be a surprise for the title, this championship has not got an owner. Even Chelsea are struggling so it is open for everybody... though maybe not us!”

TOTTENHAM: Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto (Bale 87), Lennon (Jenas 88), Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric (Kranjcar 82); Crouch, Defoe.

WEST HAM: Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga (Spector 19); Parker (Jimenez 11), Kovac, Behrami, Collison (Stanislas 80), Diamanti; Franco.

Referee: Chris Foy