Spurs comeback boosts Champions League hopes

Tottenham came from a goal down to beat Manchester City 3-1 at White Hart Lane in the first of today's Premier League games.

Samir Nasri scored an early goal for City but Spurs hit back with three second-half goals in the space of seven minutes from Clint Dempsey, Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale.

The result means leaders Manchester United will win the title if they beat Aston Villa tomorrow night.

Jermain Defoe hailed Tottenham's character which gives their hopes of a top-four finish a huge boost.

Spurs had trailed for 70 minutes to Samir Nasri’s opener but after Clint Dempsey poked home a leveller, quick-fire goals from Defoe and Gareth Bale followed to turn the game on its head.

“Before the game we knew it was going to be difficult, they’re a great team with great players, but towards the end there was great character, it was unbelievable,” Defoe told Sky Sports 1.

“We played well and everyone dug in. The finish was unbelievable.”

Defoe, who had been on the pitch only seven minutes when he scored, having returned from an injury lay-off, struck the second with a superb shot that beat Joe Hart from an angle.

“It was nice,” he said. “As a forward, you always want to score goals. I’ve always said the most important thing is to get three points, but to get three points and get on the scoresheet, I’m delighted.”

Bale also scored on his return from injury. The Wales international was subdued in a central role in the first half, but find more joy after moving on to the right-wing after the break.

“We spoke at half-time about it,” Bale said. “They don’t really play with wingers, they’re quite compact in the middle, so the gaffer said at half-time there was more room outside and it proved a good move.”

Although Bale killed City off with the third, it was his cross and Dempsey’s finish that turned the game in the 75th minute.

“It just gave us that bit more belief that we could go on and win it,” he said. “As soon as that went in it lifted us.”

Spurs are now two points behind north London rivals Arsenal with a game in hand as the battle for Champions League football hots up, and Bale has no doubt about the importance of finishing in the top four.

“It’s massive,” he said. “The club’s moving forward every year and all of us players want to be in the Champions League playing against the best week-in, week-out.

“We showed today that we’re going to keep pushing to the end of the season to get in the top four.”