Manchester City ensure for the Champions League next season for the first time in their history

Manchester City ensure a playoff ticket for the Champions League next season after beating Tottenham Hotspur at home. Ironic for the Spurs, the City created a single goal from Peter Crouch's own goal.

It proved enough to give Roberto Mancini's side the win they required after a tension-riddled affair controlled for long spells by Spurs, who dominated possession in the second half to test the nerves of an increasingly anxious City support.

Thanks to this victory, the City collect points 65. With two matches left to the end of the season, these points could not have been chased by Liverpool (58 points) and Spurs (56 points).

Thus, the four teams which will represent England in the Champions League has been confirmed: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.

For the City, this achievement is very special to remember the last time they engaged in one of Europe's top competition is about 40 years ago when they won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup. City also successfully promote themselves after last year only competed in the Europa League.

This weekend, the City also has a great opportunity to win the first FA Cup trophy, since last 30 years.

Players:
Manchester City: Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta (Aleksandr Kolarov 57), Micah Richards, Nigel De Jong, Yaya Toure, James Milner, Adam Johnson (PAtrick Vieira 67), Davis Silva (Carlos Tevez 83), Edin Dzeko.

Tottenham Hotspur: Carlo Cudicini, Michael Dawson, William Gallas (Younes Kaboul 88), Danny Rose, Vedran Corluka, Wilson Palacios (Steven Pienaar 32), Sandro, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Rafael Van der Vaart, Peter Crouch (Jermain Defoe 78).

Continuous Reading → Manchester City ensure for the Champions League next season for the first time in their history

Tottenham Hotspurs 1-1 Blackpool, A late 25-yard strike from Jermain Defoe earned Tottenham a point against Blackpool.

Jermain Defoe

Playing in front of his own supporters who crowded the stadium White Hart Lane on Saturday (05/07/2011), Spurs left behind through Charlie Adam before Defoe made ​​it 1-1.

A draw was made Spurs have been very difficult to tripped Manchester City step into the big four. Actually, a few hours before City were beaten by Everton.

Spurs are still stuck in fifth place with 56 points from 35 matches, behind six points from City. The Lilywhites one point ahead from Liverpool who is ranked sixth.

Charlie Adam converted a 76th-minute spot-kick after Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes had fouled Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Gomes had saved a penalty moments earlier from the same player after Michael Dawson handled in the area.

But as the game two minutes remaining, Spurs managed to single digits after a swift kick along the ground is released Defoe, past the corner of goalkeeper Matthew Gilks​​. in the 89th minute to level a dramatic encounter. Until the game ended, no additional goals from both teams created.

However, Tottenham could be without inspirational winger Gareth Bale for their remaining games - at Manchester City on Tuesday, at Liverpool on 15 May and at home to Birmingham on 22 May - after the Wales international left the pitch on a stretcher with an ankle injury following a rash Adam challenge.

Lineups:

Tottenham Hotspurs: Gomes, Kaboul, Gallas, Dawson, Bale (Crouch 64), Van der Vaart, Modric, Sandro, Rose (Kranjcar 91), Pavlyuchenko (Lennon 46), Defoe.

Blackpool: Gilks​​, Crainey, Eardley (Beattie 91), Kornilenko (Puncheon 46), Evatt, Southern, Vaughan, Baptiste, Adam, Taylor-Fletcher (Cathcart 77), Campbell.

See Also → English Premier League, Results and Tables

Continuous Reading → Tottenham Hotspurs 1-1 Blackpool, A late 25-yard strike from Jermain Defoe earned Tottenham a point against Blackpool.

Manchester United will fight Chelsea in last eight of the Champions League

Just read the news from the BBC News report on drawing the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Chelsea and Manchester United have been drawn to face each other in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, while Tottenham Hotspurs will play Real Madrid. Barcelona meet Shakhtar Donetsk, with reigning champions Inter Milan drawn against Schalke 04.

Chelsea or United will go on to face either Inter or Schalke 04, while the winners of the other two last eight ties will meet in the other semi-final.

UEFA Champions League Drawing

The quarter-final ties will be played on 5/6/ and 12/13 April 2011.

Chelsea have yet to win the Champions League and will have revenge on their minds after losing the 2008 Champions League final to Manchester United on penalties in Moscow.

Champions League Quarter Final Draw (Ties to be played on 5/6 and 12/13 April 2011):

• Real Madrid VS Tottenham Hotspurs
• Chelsea VS Manchester United
• Barcelona VS Shakhtar Donetsk
• Inter Milan VS Schalke 04

Champions League Semi Final Draw (Ties to be played on 26/27 April and 3/4 May 2011):

• Inter Milan/Schalke 04 VS Chelsea/Manchester United
• Real Madrid/Tottenham Hotspurs VS Barcelona/Shakhtar Donetsk

More about → UEFA Champions League, Results and Tables

Continuous Reading → Manchester United will fight Chelsea in last eight of the Champions League