Kanoute's act of redemption

Fredi Kanoute has been promised a "long-term future" at Tottenham after bouncing back from his Carling Cup nightmare to score the winner at Manchester City.

Kanoute admitted he has been haunted by his team's quarter-final exit a fortnight ago when he handled to give Liverpool a late equaliser and then missed in the penalty shoot-out.

But his redemption came in the 57th minute on Saturday when his explosive left-foot shot beat David James to earn Spurs a third Premiership win in succession.

"My goal was particularly pleasing after the Liverpool game which was bad for me," Kanoute said.

"I know I got a lot of criticism for my handball and I have tried to ignore it because I didn't want to feel too low.

"Inside my head I had to keep fighting thoughts that I had let the team down. I had to be strong or I wouldn't be able to perform.

The goal was just instinct. I hit it early and it went right into the top corner."

There were questions over whether manager Martin Jol would forgive 27- year- old Kanoute for his part in Tottenham's cup defeat.

But after the Mali international's fifth goal of the season, Jol was able to assure his striker that he was very much part of the plans at White Hart Lane.

"Freddie is a professional who made a mistake. It is rubbish to say he has not got a long-term future here," Jol said.

"His response since the Liverpool game has been excellent and this goal will have given him a lot of confidence.

"He is the complete player. He can head, pass and score a goal. We miss him when he is not playing."

Tottenham's win also came without the suspended Jermain Defoe and was their third straight clean sheet.

Spurs adopted a more attacking approach immediately after the departure of Jacques Santini but Jol admitted it was important to get back to basics after the 5-4 home defeat against Arsenal.

"It is not all about playing terrific football. We did that against Arsenal and lost," Jol said.

"It is about getting results and now that we are, we can work on our game at the training ground."

Spurs might have won more convincingly had Robbie Keane been sharper in front of goal but it was still the perfect result for chairman Daniel Levy, who is keen to rebuff any offers to buy the club.

He denied weekend reports that a consortium were poised to make a bid and install Glenn Hoddle as manager.

Levy said angrily: "We have never put up a 'For Sale' sign at this club and we are not about to do so."

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