Tottenham prove they have what it takes to go the distance in league and cup

Whilst Spurs fans were celebrating their second half comeback last night to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in nine years, they must also have felt more than a little bit smug at other results in Premier League, as Aston Villa and Manchester City faltered to hand the North London side the initiative in the battle for fourth place.

Make no mistake, things are looking good at White Hart Lane right when it matters. When they lost 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield back in January and Leeds forced them to an FA Cup replay in the following match, most predicted that the promising form they had shown up to that point would peter out just when it mattered.

In fact the opposite has been true and they have lost just once since then, against Wolves following the infamous trip to Dublin by some squad members. Redknapp made his displeasure known and the added discipline and unity he has subsequently brought to the squad certainly seems to have helped them.

As has the return to form of Roman Pavlyuchenko and David Bentley. Seemingly cut adrift from the first team by Redknapp, they have been given a seconf chance through injuries and have grabbed their opportunity with both hands, as demonstrated against Fulham last night. Eidur Gudjohnsen also appears to be an inspired signing for the run in, especially given the injury to Jermain Defoe.

So how far can they go this season? Their aspirations of finishing fourth may well be hit by a run-in which contains consecutive games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. However, it would be surprise if they got nothing out of any of these three fixtures, and they could in fact have a significant say on where the title ends up.

Fixtures against Portsmouth, Sunderland, Bolton and Burnley look less daunting, and you get the sense that their trip to Eastlands to play Manchester City on 5th May could be pivotal in deciding who gets a shot at Champions League football next season. Roberto Mancini’s men sit just two points behind Spurs and can not be discounted.

In the cup, Redknapp’s current side will surely be expected to overcome his old side when they come together in the second FA Cup semi-final on 11th April. Judging by last night’s respective performances, Portsmouth simply do not have the class to match Spurs and Redknapp is likely to become even more vilified on the south coast by ending Pompey’s cup dream.

Which would leave them with a final against either Chelsea or Aston Villa, both of whom have been some way from their best in recent games. Chelsea remain the bookmakers favourites, but anything is possible in a Wembley final, especially when it is also a derby. Villa’s memories of Wembley this season will hardly be positive and current form suggests there is no reason why Spurs could not pile on the misery if they were the opponents.

A fourth place league finish and FA cup victory is hardly an historic ‘double’, but ending the season with a trophy and having broken the top four cartel would certainly announce Tottenham as serious contenders and provide a platform to go even further next season. If they continue in their current vein of form, it would appear to be a very real prospect.