LONDON, May 7, 2011 (AFP) - Tottenham Hotspur failed to take advantage of a slip-up by Champions League rivals Manchester City as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Premier League strugglers Blackpool on Saturday.
Jermain Defoe equalised for Spurs a minute from time at White Hart Lane after Blackpool's Charlie Adam had missed and then scored from the penalty spot in the space of 70 seconds.
Tottenham are now six points behind City, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League place.
But victory would have seen them move closer ahead of their midweek trip to Eastlands following City's 2-1 defeat at Everton.
Heurelho Gomes produced a fine save to deny Adam after Spurs defender Michael Dawson was penalised for handball in the box.
But the erratic Brazilian goalkeeper went from hero to zero when he fumbled a corner and was ruled by referee Lee Probert to have brought down Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
This time Adam, who could have been red-carded minutes earlier for a challenge on Gareth Bale that saw the Spurs star carried off on a stretcher, blasted the ball to Gomes's right to give the Tangerines the lead with 14 minutes left.
"He has done his ankle, it looks quite bad," said Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager.
Spurs played in this season's Champions League but Redknapp didn't hold out much hope of a repeat after this result.
"It's going to be very difficult," he said. "We haven't been able to win games in the last month or so."
The draw saw Blackpool stay above the relegation zone on goal difference with two games of the season left.
"There's only one word for me: pride," Blackpool manager Ian Holloway told ESPN. "We believe in ourselves again. We've had a little wobble but there's a few games to play yet."
West Ham remained rooted to the foot of the table despite a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers and are three points shy of safety while Wigan also stayed in the bottom three following their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
West Ham fell behind when Blackburn striker Jason Roberts turned in Brett Emerton's 12th minute cross.
But a trademark Thomas Hitzlsperger shot 12 minutes from time gave the Londoners a lifeline.
Wigan took a 10th minute lead at Villa Park through Charles N'Zogbia but Villa equalised seven minutes later when Ashley Young fired in from 25 yards out.
At Goodison Park, Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure put Manchester City in front when his 28th minute shot beat Tim Howard.
But Sylvain Distin levelled in the 65th minute before Leon Osman's header just minutes later gave Everton the three points.
"It was incredible we lost this game," said a frustrated Roberto Mancini, the City manager. "But this is football. If you lose concentration, if you concede a yard to the other team, it is difficult.
"If we want to become a strong team, we cannot lose this game," added the Italian, whose side face Stoke in next Saturday's FA Cup final.
At St James' Park, Newcastle piled on more misery for Birmingham with a 2-1 win.
Newcastle were awarded a penalty after Liam Ridgewell was sent-off for handball on the line and Shola Ameobi scored from the spot in the 36th minute.
Steven Taylor doubled Newcastle's lead in the 43rd minute but there was still time for Birmingham to pull a goal back before half-time when Lee Bowyer scored against his former club.
At the Reebok, Bolo Zenden put Sunderland ahead shortly before half-time against Bolton.
The hosts drew level three minutes from time when striker Ivan Klasnic headed in Rodrigo Moreno's cross but Sunderland snatched a late winner when Bolton defender Zat Knight turned Sulley Muntari's shot into his own net.
Premier League leaders Manchester United take on second-placed Chelsea, just three points off top spot, in a clash that will have a key bearing on the title race at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Arsenal travel to Stoke while relegation threatened Wolves face West Brom.
Liverpool, currently sixth, travel to Fulham on Monday.
