Redknapp hails English quartet

Harry Redknapp picked out four England hopefuls for special praise as Tottenham triumphed over Manchester City to secure a place in the Champions League.

Spurs won 1-0 at Eastlands through Peter Crouch’s header to secure fourth spot and at the least a place in the qualifying rounds of Europe’s elite club competition.

Tottenham have not played in the European Cup since their legendary double-winning side lost in the semi-finals to Benfica in 1962.

Redknapp hailed the performances of Crouch, fellow striker Jermain Defoe and defenders Ledley King and Michael Dawson, all of whom shone in front of the watching England manager Fabio Capello.

The Spurs boss said: “King and Dawson – my God they were good, Crouchie led the line unbelievably, it was a great performance from him, and the best we have seen from Defoe for a while.

“It was great to come here and win – I took a big gamble and played an attacking team. We went for it.

“People will think I’m mad coming away from home like this – all the top teams only play with one up front now.

“I’m very pleased – it’s great for the club, a good achievement and we have played great football this year.”

The success marks a remarkable 18 months for Redknapp who took over in October 2008 when Spurs were bottom of the Premier League with two points from eight games.

Redknapp added: “Daniel Levy [Spurs chairman] was scared that we were going to get relegated that’s why he made the move, at the time he was afraid we could have been stuck in a relegation battle and we were in it for a long while.

“Of course this means a lot to me, I’m delighted but I know I’m good at my job, I wouldn’t have done it if I was a mug.”

Redknapp, who was doused with an ice bucket by his celebrating players, does not hold out much hope of Arsenal losing against Fulham on Sunday to allow Tottenham to sneak into third spot.

“I just wanted to make sure we got there and finished fourth, the chairman has just said to me ’who have Arsenal got on Sunday’ but I doubt very much whether that will happen.”

The result was a hammer blow for Manchester City but both the club and manager Roberto Mancini have tried to dampen speculation over his future at the club.

Club officials say Mancini’s future is not an issue, and asked whether he was confident about remaining manager next season, the Italian said: “Yes I’m confident. I don’t know but I think I stay here. Why not?

“I work here four or five months and I think when you build a house you don’t start from the roof but the basement. We work very well but we are near the roof.

“I am not a magician, I don’t have a magic wand. We wanted this (fourth) place and we tried like Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa.”

Mancini said failure to make the Champions League would have no impact on the future of Carlos Tevez, who has had issues with the Italian coach over his training regime.

“Carlos Tevez has a contract with Manchester City and he will be here next season,” said Mancini.

Meanwhile, Gareth Barry suffered a knock to his ankle but the injury is not thought to be serious.