Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that he lied and told his players that Chelsea were winning in a bid to motivate them to a victory over Stoke City on Wednesday evening.
However, the 65-year-old's unique half-time team talk was in vain as Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw by the Potters at White Hart Lane.
Redknapp revealed: "I told them at half time Chelsea and Arsenal were winning. I said 'We need a win lads'. Chelsea weren't winning, but I said, 'A draw's no good, we need to be positive, let's get after them.'"
Despite his side's four-game winless run, Redknapp is still confident that Spurs can finish as top London club this season.
"It's all to play for. We can still finish above Arsenal. There's a long way to go yet - there's everything to play for," he said.
"Arsenal won't win every game, will they? I want to finish third still."
The result meant that Spurs drop a place to fourth, one position and point behind their North London rivals.
Joe Fish
