Tottenham 2 Manchester City 1: The fifth place that Tottenham secured yesterday was greeted with delight among the very same supporters who considered an identical final placing something of a disappointment a year ago, but in truth the league position is the only similarity between their two campaigns.
Martin Jol's achievement this year has been in sustaining the standard of his team's performances while increasing the number of them. There were 40 games last season and 59 this, enough for Jol to acclaim "our best season of the last 20 years".
Much of the credit must go to Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian scored Tottenham's first goal of the season and yesterday he scored their last as well.
But if the future looks bright at White Hart Lane, the Manchester City manager cannot be sure if he has a future at all.
Stuart Pearce's side probably deserved a point here, but a finish of 14th might not be enough to secure Pearce's position if a rumoured Thai takeover takes place this summer.
"Whether I'm going to be here next season or not is out of my hands. I hope it's me, but if it isn't me I'll move on and manage elsewhere," said Pearce.
If this proves his final game he might still be cursing Berbatov as he clears his desk. In addition to scoring the winner the 26-year-old had a hand, or rather a backheel, in his team's first. His touch to Didier Zokora surprised the City defence and when Jermaine Jenas lifted the ball into the box Robbie Keane scampered clear to volley in.
Then, in the 32nd minute, a lucky break saw him with time and space on the edge of the area and his finish beat Andreas Isaksson at his near post.
City were destabilised by the early departure of Sylvain Distin, but improved after a poor start. Only two excellent saves from Paul Robinson, to deny Darius Vassell in the first half and Emile Mpenza in the second, prevented them from adding to the Belgian's 40th-minute header.
Hossam Ghaly has apologised for throwing his shirt to the ground after being substituted last Thursday.
- Guardian Service
