Pleat has Europe firmly in his sights

"Arsenal are the big club in the south and Manchester United in the north," he said. "The spending power of Chelsea has changed the scenario a bit. But the fact is that others need to challenge them otherwise those three will dominate for the foreseeable future."

Robson was disappointed that his team suffered their first Premiership defeat of 2004, partly because they were denied a penalty by referee Howard Webb in the 27th minute. He felt that Aaron Hughes had been tripped by Mauricio Taricco.

"The penalty decision was a nonsense," said Robson. "It was clear-cut, a stonewall certainty and I told the referee so at half-time. It was a crucial decision. I'm a bit disappointed because we didn't deserve to lose it. I felt we deserved to win."

Spurs looked unwieldy in the first half as Pleat tried to accommodate his three strikers, with Robbie Keane playing in a free role behind Jermain Defoe and Frederic Kanoute. Keane was effective enough, attacking from deep, but Spurs missed his drive and authority further forward.

Gary Doherty, who has just been offered a new contract, was a key figure in the first half, missing the best chance in the 35th minute, but he then blocked an Alan Shearer shot at the other end six minutes later.

"I thought he and Anthony Gardner handled Shearer and Craig Bellamy well," said Pleat.

Spurs were better balanced when Jamie Redknapp was summoned from the substitutes' bench, ending a sixmonth absence with a knee problem.

With Kanoute withdrawn, Redknapp played in a conventional four-man midfieldand Spurs looked a more cohesive force in the final 20 minutes.

But the goal, in the 86th minute, had an element of luck about it. Spurs' other substitute, Stephane Dalmat, outwitted Jonathan Woodgate and crossed the ball hard from the right. Andy O'Brien, facing his own goal, turned the ball into the net as he tried to clear.

For Spurs it was a small triumph - a clean sheet after conceding 14 goals in their previous five games - and for Redknapp an encouraging step forward. "I've been itching to get back," said the former England midfielder.

He may still, however, have to convince Pleat that he has recovered well enough to feature significantly in the climax to the season. "He had 22 minutes and in that time did well," said Pleat. "Knowing the sort of lad he is, he'll do everything in his power to get back to his best."