Tottenham kept their noses in front of Manchester City in the race for fourth spot after both sides claimed victories in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Tottenham edged to a 1-0 win over Bolton to stay one point clear of City, who came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1, ending the visitors’ own hopes of clinching fourth.
The pair each have two games remaining but have to play each other in their penultimate game in midweek, a match described by City manager Roberto Mancini as his club’s “final”.
“We wanted one final this year and we have it,” Mancini said. “Now we must win against Tottenham, we have to play like we did today, we must be strong.
“It’s maybe the most important game in the last year and we must win.” Spurs struggled for fluency but the goal that won the match was deserving of the three points as Tom Huddlestone rifled home from 22 metres five minutes before half-time.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said he had known his side were in for a tough match.
“People were saying to me we should bang in four or five but Bolton are a good team with a good manager and I knew it’d be a hard day at the office,” he said.
“We should have scored more, but in the end the win was all important. Tom’s goal was brilliant.” John Carew put Villa in front at Eastlands after 17 minutes but a penalty by Carlos Tevez and a goal one minute later by Emmanuel Adebayor put City ahead at half-time.
Villa threatened the City goal at times during the second half but Craig Bellamy sealed victory with a third late on.
Villa manager Martin O’Neill said he was delighted with his side’s efforts all season, even if fourth place was now not possible.
“I am really proud of the team,” he said. “I have just said to them we opened the campaign this year with a loss at home to Wigan Athletic and up until today we shared with two other teams the least number of defeats.
“I know there’s a view held that because Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have lost more games this season that they normally would, then it’s a weaker league — I’m inclined to think it’s the other way.”
