Clint Dempsey: 'We must finish in top four'

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Clint Dempsey believes that only a top-four finish will help salvage their season.

Spurs were dumped out of the Europa League by Basel on Thursday night to leave the club solely focused on the Premier League, and Dempsey has insisted that they can only consider themselves to have had a good year if they can finish in the top four.

The 30-year-old told the London Evening Standard: "We have to make sure we finish in the top four and we're in the Champions League next year.

"That's the only thing we can do to salvage this season and say we had a good year. That's what we're focusing on.

"Is it as black and white as that? Yes, because that's been the goal for the season. We wanted to go as far as we could in all competitions and try to win something. We've not been able to do that so the only thing we have left to play for is a Champions League place."

The USA international scored twice in Switzerland, but he was unable to prevent his side exiting the Europa League on penalties.