Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp keeps faith with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes despite blunder against Chelsea

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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has once again jumped to the defence of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes after another error from the Brazilian led to Frank Lampard‘s controversial equaliser in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Redknapp had seen his side take a 1-0 lead after twenty minutes after midfielder Sandro fired home from 30-yards, yet the home side leveled just before the end of half-time with Lampard’s dipping shot clumsily dealt with by the Tottenham keeper.

Yet speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Redknapp continued to defend Gomes, saying: “He’s a great goalkeeper.

“I don’t know what happened with the first gpal, I thought he had the ball covered.

“He’s a top goalkeeper. He had a little dip in form when he first came but we stuck by him then.

“We have to back him up and get Tony Parks goalkeeping coach to keep him believing.”

The former Portsmouth boss was also left to rue the two controversial refereeing decisions that cost his side the game, with Lampard’s effort appearing not to have crossed the line before Salomon Kalou’s winner two minutes from time should have been disallowed for offside.

“Well you got to look at the two goals, the first was not over the line, the second was offside and that changed the game,” said Redknapp.

“The linesman’s made an honest mistake with the first goal – he’s given what he felt was a right decision. It’s so difficult, it’s impossible.

“How can you see from the 18-yard line, if you’re not sure you can’t give it. It is a guessing game, he’s had an honest guess but he’s guessed wrong, not because he wanted Chelsea to win but he’s got it wrong.

“Technology has to come in, it took seconds for you too see it, five seconds to see if it is goal.  It’s just amazing we haven’t got technology in the game.”

The defeat now leaves Spurs four points adrift of fourth placed Manchester City, who play their game in hand against West Ham United at Eastlands on Sunday.

However, Redknapp remains optimistic that the tide could once again turn in his side’s favour before the end of the season.

“It depends,” he said. “There’s still a few games to go, you don’t know what could happen between now and end of the season.”