Everton revival no surprise to Harry

Harry Redknapp isn't surprised to see Everton racing up the Premier League.

The Toffees are up to eighth in the table after a run of just one defeat in 11 matches including wins against Chelsea and United.

Ironically, that run started after our 2-2 draw at Goodison Park in December, a match we dominated and led 2-0 only for Everton to score twice in the final 10 minutes. They were 15th that day.

Asked if they could still make it into the European shake-up in the league, Harry insisted: "They are still contenders. They've got it all to do but they've come from way off the pace.

"You always knew they would put a run together once they got their key players fit.

"David Moyes has had a horrific injury list of top players and you can't afford to lose players like Arteta, Neville, Jagielka because they are all vital players for the team.

"There are probably more I haven't mentioned and when you lose those type of players they are irreplaceable. They make a dent in your team. You are not as good as you would be with them.

"Once he's got them fit, David's doing what he's done every year, a fantastic job.

"You never get an easy game against Everton. They are a tough team. They work hard and it will be difficult."
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Loan Watch

Andros Townsend scored his second MK Dons goal as his loan spell at the League One club continued to go from strength to strength after he helped them to a 3-1 win over Southend United on Saturday.

The winger's strike 10 minutes from time put the game out of sight for the Shrimpers and takes the Dons to within five points of the play-off positions.

But Adel Taarabt was the only other of our young players out on loan to end up on the winning side over the weekend, as he came off the bench 13 minutes from time to see out QPR's first Championship win since Boxing Day, a 2-1 success over Doncaster.

Staying in that division, Kyle Naughton was on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat for Middlesbrough at the hands of high-flying Nottingham Forest.

In League One, Steven Caulker played as Yeovil Town made their first ever league visit to Charlton Athletic but came away with a 2-0 defeat.

And ex-Yeovil boy Jon Obika fared no better with new club Millwall, for whom he came on as a substitute 20 minutes from time in a disappointing 1-0 defeat at strugglers Wycombe Wanderers, although the young striker did force a fine save from home goalkeeper Tom Heaton in the dying minutes.

On Friday night, our young stopper David Button was beaten only by Ryan Lowe's 71st minute penalty as Shrewsbury Town were defeated 1-0 at second-placed Bury.

The England Under-20 international impressed again, keeping Paul Simpson's side in it with two top drawer saves late on.

And you can see David in action tonight when Shrewsbury take on fellow League Two promotion contenders Rotherham United live on Sky Sports 1.

Of our more senior players out on loan, Robbie Keane scored his first home goal for Celtic in their 1-0 victory over Dundee United to keep the pressure on leaders Rangers at the top of the SPL - with the big Old Firm derby next Sunday.

Glasgow-born Alan Hutton was back in North London on Saturday, but it wasn't a trip to remember as Sunderland were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates.

And Jamie O'Hara was also on the wrong end of a Premier League defeat as Portsmouth's plight continued with a 2-1 reverse at home to Stoke City.
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'Great performance' - Harry

Harry Redknapp was delighted with the team's attitude and application as we toppled Wigan 3-0 at the DW Stadium on Sunday.

Jermain Defoe's opener in the first half and a late double from substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko secured another key away win as we overcame a Wigan team fighting for survival and adapted to a heavy pitch that started cutting up midway through the first half.

It was our fifth victory on the road in the Barclays Premier League this season as we moved back into fourth place on Sunday night.

"The conditions were difficult and I was really pleased with the attitude we showed," said Harry,

"We had to come and grind it out. It was a difficult pitch for both teams, Wigan like to play as well, so it wasn't easy for them either.

"I thought we passed it ever so well in the first half, kept the ball, dominated the play and got our rewards. I thought we were the better team.

"We've been playing well and the only stutter really was Wolves away but credit to them, they played well on the night.

"If you look at our record, it's two defeats in 15 games, so we've been in terrific form and this was another good performance. All the lads played their part."
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Emotional game for Wilson

Wilson Palacios admits he is expecting his first visit back to the JJB Stadium since leaving Wigan Athletic to be an emotional occasion.

We travel to Lancashire in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday to visit a club close to the midfielder's heart.

Wilson joined Wigan, initially on loan, in January 2008 and went on to impress during the 39 games he played over the next year before moving to the Lane.

Such was the impact the Latics had on his career that he even concedes feeling a degree of remorse following our 9-1 victory over them back in November.

The Honduran said: "That was a very emotional game for me. I have good friends in the Wigan team and also some fellow countrymen who are like my brothers. We are very close.

"I spoke to them afterwards and they were very down about the result. They knew they had to move on quickly from that day and I wished them well.

"My time at Wigan was a very important part of my career. They treated me so well, I felt great there and I thank them for my opportunity.

"I must admit, it's always hard to play against Wigan because I have so many good memories there."
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Cup a 'big priority' - Harry

Harry Redknapp insists he'll field the strongest side possible as he goes all-out to win Sunday's FA Cup tie at Bolton.

The battle is still very much on for fourth place in the Barclays Premier League but Harry insists there will be no prioritising at this stage - not least with us already at the fifth-round of the competition.

"We want to stay in the FA Cup and we want to go to Wembley, so it's a massive game as far as I'm concerned," said Harry.

"I'm sure Owen Coyle will want to win the game as well, but Bolton are also involved in a relegation battle and it's tight down there, so his first priority will be to keep them in the division. At the same time, he will want to get a result.

"I watched Bolton at City on television during the week and they played well. Kevin Bond went to the game and said the same. I thought they were unlucky and this will be a difficult game for us. I've never been there yet and had an easy game.

"I will play what I consider the strongest team to try and win the game. We want to be involved in the FA Cup and therefore it's an important game for us."
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Team News

Roman Pavlyuchenko has returned to training ahead of Wednesday's Barclays Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The striker has been missing with a groin problem since coming off the bench to score against Leeds in the last round of the FA Cup two and a half weeks ago.

However, Ledley King will be rested for the game at Molineux after playing 90 minutes in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Aaron Lennon (groin) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (hip) are making steady progress in their comebacks, with the latter running again.

Aaron is back in rehab, and manager Harry Redknapp said: "He could possibly be back the weekend after next but it's difficult to say. It's really up to him to see how he feels and how the fitness coaches and physios see him. We won't rush him back until we're sure he's right."

Longer-term absentees Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Carlo Cudicini (wrist, pelvis) continue their recuperation.
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Harry draws positives

Harry Redknapp said he couldn't fault the lads after the goalless draw against Villa on Saturday.

We had the better of a tense encounter at the Lane but simply couldn't find a way past the best defence in the Barclays Premier League - Villa have now only conceded 18 goals in 24 matches.

Brad Friedel produced his best saves to deny Ledley King, David Bentley and Tom Huddlestone but the most notable part of Villa's defensive display was the way they threw themselves in the way of shots.

Jermain Defoe was denied a late shout for a penalty when he appeared to be brought down by Stiliyan Petrov. That was with three minutes left and there was still time for Friedel to save from Defoe again and Peter Crouch's backheel attempt to go agonisingly wide.

It wasn't to be, but Harry spoke positively afterwards. "I thought we played well and that's always the main thing for me.

"We created all the chances but just couldn't get the break. I thought we were the better side and I thought the same when we drew at Villa Park.

"They got some great blocks in and their centre-halves kept throwing their bodies in the way. They did that well and they are well-known for doing that. I couldn't fault the way we played.

"It would have been great to get the three points but it wasn't to be. We've still only lost once in the last 12 games and we're on a good run, playing well. We played well at Birmingham last weekend, excellent at Leeds, the squad's looking strong, so we're okay."

As for the penalty claim, Harry said: "I haven't seen a replay. The lads said it was a penalty but I honestly don't know."

The draw left us in fifth place and a point behind Liverpool after the Reds' 1-0 win against Everton in the Merseyside derby. Villa and City, who lost at Hull, are two points behind in sixth and seventh respectively.

"It was a big result for Liverpool, they ground out a result," added Harry. "It's their weekend but it will be someone else's weekend next weekend and someone else's the week after. That's how it goes. It's going to be tight and go to the wire."
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Bale's back - in hotspur!

Gareth Bale has been in flying form since his return to the side - and he told February's hotspur that's when he's happiest.

The Welsh full-back has caught the eye raiding down the left flank in the last month after getting his chance following injury to ever-consistent Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Gareth takes the hotseat in hotspur's 'Onside with...' feature and, when asked what made him happiest, he told our official magazine: "Playing football. It's a simple as that.

"When you've been out through injury (as I have recently) you come to realise how important the game is to you. I'm always very happy when I'm playing - especially when the team is winning!"

Gareth tells the magazine what makes him tick both on and off the pitch. No surprises for a Welsh man that Cardiff is his favourite place and that his favourite way to spend a Sunday is 'back on the M4 heading down the Wales!'

Back on the pitch, his favourite game was his debut at Old Trafford back in 2007 and, again with his Welsh hat on, no surprises that Ryan Giggs is his football hero. "To play in the same Welsh team was something else."

Read what Gareth had to say in the rest of the feature in February's hotspur plus an exclusive with fellow left-back Benoit, Michael Dawson, Vedran Corluka, film star and Spurs fan Kenneth Branagh and commentating legend John Motson. It's all in hotspur - OUT NOW!
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Harry on Villa

Harry Redknapp is expecting an open, attacking game against Villa in Saturday's potential cracker at the Lane.

We go into the clash sitting fourth in the Barclays Premier League with Villa, one of our main rivals for a place in the top four, just two points behind us in seventh but with a game in hand.

Wednesday's fine FA Cup replay win at Leeds made it one defeat in 11 games in all competitions while Villa - who have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League, just 18 in 23 matches - are unbeaten in seven with a Wembley date in the Carling Cup Final in the bag.

"It's a big game and a fantastic game to look forward to," said Harry at Spurs Lodge on Friday.

"Martin O'Neill has built a a great team there and I think it will be an exciting game with both teams having a real go and looking to win.

"They are an open, attacking, exciting team with pace in wide positions and through the middle.

"Martin made some key signings in the summer, the likes of Dunne, Collins, Warnock and they really strengthened the team up.

"But we're strong as well. We had a great result at Leeds, we were excellent. We showed great character as well as playing terrific football to win a really difficult cup tie.

"They are strong defensively but we've got good forwards. We're scoring goals, creating chances and Jermain Defoe is in goalscoring form and playing well with Crouchy.

"David Bentley is in great form and we've the likes of Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar. I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities for both teams and hopefully we'll take more than them."

Saturday's game kicks-off at 5.30pm.
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Leeds United 1-3 Tottenham: Jermain Defoe Hat-Trick Sends Spurs Into Fifth Round

England striker finally ends League One side's dogged resistance at Elland Road...

By Alan McGuinness

A hat trick from Jermain Defoe ensured Tottenham Hotspur progressed to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup at the expense of Leeds United.

The away side started with plenty of intent and had no trouble creating chances. Sebastian Bassong and Peter Crouch were the first to spurn opportunities.

Michael Doyle had the home side's first sniff of goal with 13 minutes on the clock, forcing Gomes to make a save.

As the first half developed it seemed as if Jermain Defoe and Casper Ankergren were having their own personal duel.

The Danish keeper first squared up to the England man in the 12th minute when he shot wide.

Then 10 minutes later Defoe was put clean through Jermaine Jenas. With just the keeper to beat he fired straight at Ankergren.

With half an hour on the clock the situation was repeated. This time Lubomir Michalik stopped Defoe in his tracks before he could get his shot away.

After 34 minutes Defoe tested Ankergren again, and then he finally got his goal.

David Bentley, taking advantage of a rare run in the Spurs side, beat Andy Hughes down the right wing and pulled the ball back for Defoe. With his back to goal the striker turned and hit a rather sliced shot that looped in under the bar.

Then on the stroke of half time Leeds levelled matters. Jermaine Beckford's shot was acrobatically blocked by Gomes and Luciano Becchio was on hand to tap in.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first.

Defoe resumed his duel with Ankergren minutes after the restart, nearly beating the big Dane with a dipping shot.

Bentley was the fulcrum of the majority of his side's attacking verve, setting up chances for Defoe, Crouch and Kranjcar and also having a shot on goal himself.

Defoe thought he had given Tottenham the lead after 67 minutes but he was offside.

He didn't have to wait long to grab what proved to be the winning goal. To no great surpirse Bentley was the provider for his compatriot, who steered the cross into the net.

The bar denied Crouch a third, before Defoe sealed his hat trick.

He raced clear as Leeds searched for an equaliser, rounded Ankergren and prodded home.

The dream is over for Leeds United, but it has been an incredible journey.
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