Spurs edge closer to United

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes his team are slowly closing the gap on English Premier League leaders Manchester United.

The two teams played out a 0-0 draw in their meeting at White Hart Lane on Sunday, extending a run of dominance for United, who have lost just three times in 38 Premier League meetings with the north London side.

Spurs remain eight points behind United in the table, but compared to the gulf in class of seasons past, Redknapp thinks his players may soon be in a position to challenge their dominance.

“I think anyone taking points off Manchester United is doing well,” Redknapp said.

“No one has beaten them this year season; maybe no-one will beat them. I think it will be difficult to go unbeaten but it’s not impossible. I think it will be difficult to do the way the league is at the moment,” he said.

“They’ve obviously had the Indian sign over Tottenham for quite a few years. I think the two teams are closer together. We still haven’t caught them for sure. You look at their record every year but we’re getting closer and if we gradually get closer in the future then who knows.”

Redknapp also paid tribute to the two centre-back pairings on show, but felt Spurs did enough overall to perhaps sneak a victory.

“Both teams defended well,” he said.

“The two sets of central defenders on their side and (William) Gallas and (Michael) Dawson for us were fantastic for us today.”

“They did their jobs and won the battles with the forwards and made it difficult so chances were few and far between. I thought we edged the game, if any team was going to win it I think we were the more likely team, but without creating that many clear cut chances.”

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was satisfied with a point, particularly after losing full-back Rafael to a second yellow card with 16 minutes remaining.

“Defensively we kept our nerve today and they never really troubled us, considering some of the goals they have scored at home and some of their performances,” Ferguson said.

“A draw was the fair result.”