Gudjohnsen: We can maintain challenge

Tottenham forward Eidur Gudjohnsen insists the club have the quality to sustain their challenge for Champions League qualification and silverware.

The 31-year-old helped Spurs reach the FA Cup semi-finals last night by defeating Fulham 3-1 at White Hart Lane and their hopes of finishing in the top four of the Barclays Premier League were lifted by Manchester City and Aston Villa dropping points elsewhere.

“We have a tough run-in but we have players of good quality,” Gudjohnsen said. “I’m just pleased to be here.

“It’s a good squad and we’re showing that in the league and cup. That is where we are at the moment, where we end up is where we deserve.”

Spurs were trailing in their quarter-final replay after Bobby Zamora netted the opener in front of England boss Fabio Capello, before being taken off with a stomach problem.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp introduced David Bentley at the interval and the winger, returning from a groin injury, took less than two minutes to equalise with a free-kick.

“It might have been my first touch and I don’t think I’ve done that before,” Bentley said. “We came out and looked to pick the tempo up. That’s what I tried to do and my first touch went in.

“We needed to put a stamp on the game, that’s what the manager told us.”

Tom Huddlestone was also brought on at half-time, then Redknapp boldly chose to bring on another striker when Vedran Corluka picked up an ankle injury, which requires a scan.

Roman Pavlyuchenko, who came on for Corluka, netted his ninth goal in eight games before Gudjohnsen tapped in himself.

Gudjohnsen added on ITV: “I was well happy with his last substitution because it’s risky but it worked. It was a fantastic decision. With David getting the goal early it gave us a boost, then we pressed forward really well and that won us the game.”

The match sets up a last-four Wembley clash with Portsmouth, who Redknapp led to FA Cup glory two seasons ago.

“We’ll be confident going into the game against Portsmouth,” Bentley said. “It’s a great place to play and I can’t wait to be there.”

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson revealed after the game that Zamora was suffering from a stomach problem at half-time, leading to him getting taken off with 13 minutes remaining.

Hodgson is hoping the problem is not as serious as the illness suffered by David Elm and Bjorn Helge Riise.

He said: “They were out for a long time. They were very seriously ill, in fact one of them spent two days in hospital on a drip. Hopefully this is not a serious problem.”