Wed 5th May
Tottenham edged out Manchester City in the battle for a place in next season's Champions League as Peter Crouch's late goal gave them victory at Eastlands.
Crouch bundled home a goal that could be worth at least £30m to Spurs with only eight minutes left after Manchester City's on-loan keeper Marton Fulop could only parry Younes Kaboul's deflected cross into his path.
The win that secured a top-four finish in the Premier League for Spurs was no more than they deserved as they emerged as the vastly superior side to Manchester City - who must now continue their expensive refurbishment programme in the Europa League.
As tempers flared, Tom Huddlestone was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after appearing to stamp on Nigel de Jong as he lay on the floor following a melee.
It was the signal for changes, as Redknapp sent on David Bentley for Lennon and City replaced the tiring Johnson with Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Spurs were looking the more likely side, and Fulop came to City's rescue again when he blocked Crouch's header with his legs - although the England striker should have done so much better than hit the keeper from another wonderful Bale cross.
The goal Spurs' second half performance merited finally arrived with eight minutes left as Crouch made up for his earlier misses with the strike that gives Redknapp's side the chance to earn that Champions League jackpot.
Bellamy was guilty of wretched defending, allowing Kaboul to advance into the area, and when a startled Fulop could only palm out his cross, Crouch was perfectly placed to head home.
Spurs survived to the final whistle without alarm - with the only problem on Redknapp's horizon a drenching from his elated players outside the dressing-room.
And the confirmation of a place at European football's top table is a glowing tribute to the rejuvenation undertaken at White Hart Lane since Harry Redknapp took over early last season with the club languishing in the relegation places.
Redknapp has assembled an attractive side with elements of silk and steel, and they were all on show on a thunderous night when they went in search of the three points they knew would clinch the prize.
It looked like the celebrations would have to go on ice until Sunday's final-day visit to relegated Burnley until Crouch finally took the last in a succession of chances to send the Spurs fans banked at one end of Eastlands into ecstasy.
Crouch had earlier hit a post and seen a header saved by Fulop, who also denied Jermain Defoe as Spurs took a stranglehold on proceedings after the break.
