Jermaine Jenas eyes Europe despite Manchester United mauling

Jermaine Jenas is refusing to give up on a European place despite Tottenham's second-half collapse against Manchester United.

Spurs squandered a 2-0 half-time lead over the champions, who scored five goals in 22 second-half minutes, starting with an appalling penalty decision when referee Howard Webb ruled that Huerelho Gomes had tripped former Spurs star Michael Carrick when replays showed the keeper reached the ball first.

Jenas believes Spurs showed enough ability in the first half to be confident of a stirring finish to the season. The midfielder said: "Seventh spot is definitely still there. We didn't get taken to the cleaners, we didn't play bad. It was just a crazy 25-minute spell which has cost us the game. Some of our stuff was fantastic against the best team in Europe. We can take that into our next game."

On the penalty decision which swung the game in United's favour, Jenas added: "I don't really criticise referees, and I don't want to go too far, but I think that was a prime example of a referee crumbling over pressure at Old Trafford. The atmosphere, the occasion, the importance of the match, a lot of factors take their toll when making decisions. One thing which struck me about it was that he didn't even think. It was like he'd already made his mind up when he came out for the second half that he was going to give something."

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was upset by the decision but claimed it was no excuse for the way in which his team surrendered. He is less optimistic than Jenas of claiming seventh spot and a Europa League place, but believes the club should set their sights on the Champions League next season.

Redknapp said: "I'd like to think that we will be pushing the top four, with Aston Villa and Everton, next year. It's about time somebody broke into it. We just need one or two players in to improve us and if I get those in, then we will be strong next year."