Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was offered the £8million that the club paid for the Brazilian in the summer but he persevered with Heurelho Gomes, despite a string of high-profile mistakes earlier in the season. Helped by goalkeeper coach Tony Parks and pushed by the arrival Carlo Cudicini to add competition, the 28 year old has made the number one spot his own.

"He's number one, obviously because I'm picking him," Redknapp said. "Carlo came in and did well but he's been unlucky because this fella has been in great form.

"A lot of the credit for that goes to Tony Parks, and a lot of it goes to Carlo for coming here. He's not happy with the situation but Gomes knows he has to play well now to keep his place because the goalkeeper behind him is terrific.

"No disrespect to the other goalkeeper coach (Hans Leiter), I brought Tony in and he's got into his head and they work well, he's done great with him."