LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur celebrated the return of manager Harry Redknapp with a comfortable 2-0 win over Aston Villa which lifted them to third in the Premier League.
Emmanuel Adebayor struck twice in the first half as Spurs won for the eighth time in nine league matches to move on to 25 points, nine behind leaders Manchester City and four adrift of Manchester United.
Spurs climbed above Newcastle United, also on 25 points, on goal difference and have a game in hand on the teams around them.
Redknapp, 64, back in the dugout after missing two games following minor heart surgery, watched his side dominate the match from start to finish.
”It was great to be back tonight and I felt absolutely fine. I enjoy watching us play football and the best medicine for me is to see the way we played, we dominated the game from start to finish,” he told reporters.
”We played some great stuff, had clearcut chances before the first goal went in and in the second half had more chances to kill the game off, but I always thought we were in control.
”Luka Modric and Scott Parker were outstanding in midfield and Younes Kaboul is turning into the player I always thought he could be, his heading was outstanding and we looked assured at the back.”
Asked if he thought Spurs had a chance of winning the title, he said he would be happy to finish in the top four and reclaim a Champions League place. (Reuters)