Tottenham’s Champions League hopes rocked by Blackpool

Posted Sunday, May 08, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AP)—Tottenham’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are fading after being held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Blackpool on Saturday.

Jermain Defoe salvaged a point in the 89th minute for Spurs after Charlie Adam put Blackpool ahead with a penalty kick—a minute after being denied from the same spot by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Tottenham climbed to fifth ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Manchester City, which is six points ahead in the fourth and final Champions League spot. There are three rounds remaining.

Tottenham might have to cope without winger Gareth Bale, who was stretchered off in the second half after going down clutching his left ankle following a challenge by Adam.

“He has done his ankle, it looks quite bad,” Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said. “We are not sure whether he has done his ligament or something. They are checking up on him but it is quite swollen.

“It looked a bad challenge, to be fair. But that is how it goes. They will scan him for sure and see how it is.”

After City lost at Everton earlier in the day, Tottenham threw away a chance to put the pressure on City. The match turned inside a minute when Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes went from hero to villain.

After Michael Dawson conceded a penalty by handling a cross while jumping for a header, Gomes’ diving save denied Adam from the spot.

But from the resulting corner, Gomes barged Gary Taylor-Fletcher over in the penalty area—and this time Adam blasted the spot kick into the net in the 76th minute.

A week ago, Gomes spilled Frank Lampard’s routine 35-meter (yard) shot at him into his own net as Tottenham lost 2-1 at Chelsea.

On Saturday, Defoe salvaged a point for Tottenham with a fine strike from distance in the 89th.

The draw keeps Blackpool three points above the relegation zone.

“There’s only one word for me: pride,” Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said. “We needed to play well and we did against a fantastic side and you can see the improvement my club has made.

“We believe in ourselves again. We’ve had a little wobble but there’s a few games to play yet.”