Wigan draw hits Tottenham's Europe hopes
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas accepts that qualification for the Champions League is not in his team's hands after a 2-2 draw at Wigan.
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas accepts that qualification for the Champions League is not in his team's hands after a 2-2 draw at Wigan.
Spurs failed to take advantage of Arsenal and Chelsea not playing until last night and only came away with a point after Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce scored an own goal in the final minute at Wigan.
Fifth-placed Tottenham now have just four matches left to secure a place in the top four and a return to the Champions League.
They reached the quarter-finals of the competition two seasons ago and have matches against Southampton, Chelsea, Stoke and Sunderland to attempt to overhaul Arsenal and Chelsea to secure a return to Europe's top competition.
"Now it depends on results of our opponents whether we can be in control of our destiny or not," Villas-Boas said.
Boyce's own goal meant the Latics, third from bottom in the standings, missed the opportunity to move above Aston Villa, who host Sunderland today, on goal difference. Villa would move five points clear of Wigan if they beat Sunderland.
But boss Roberto Martinez feels that another eight points from games against West Brom, Swansea, Arsenal and Villa will be enough to keep them up.
"We have 12 points to fight for and we never make it easy for ourselves," he said. "You still need eight points to be certain and we need to get as many points as we can."
