Redknapp defends Gomes after blunder

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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has refused to criticise goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes after his error against Real Madrid.



A relatively tame shot from Cristiano Ronaldo squirmed through the hands of Gomes as Real claimed a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane in the second-leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash to progress 5-0 on aggregate.



But Redknapp refused to apportion blame onto the keeper.



"It was a mistake and it was a disappointing goal to concede but I'm not about to start blaming the keeper as he has been great for me ever since I took over as manager," said Redknapp.



"Gomes made a rare mistake but that is how it goes.



"He has made fantastic saves for us that he has had no right to make at times this season. I have no complaints."



Redknapp thinks Spurs were denied a couple of clear penalties, one coming as Luka Modric was bundled over by Xabi Alonso.



"It was definitely a foul on Modric but sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't," he said.



"Sometimes I am left wondering what the official behind the goal is supposed to be doing."



The Spurs boss feels that Real will have a battle on their hands if they are to come rivals Barcelona in the semi-finals.



"Barca are the best team I've seen in the last 30 years. I don't think there is anyone out there who can touch them," he concluded.



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Ferguson defends Ancelotti

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, from recent criticism.



Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League between the two sides, Ferguson said he thought criticism of the Italian was unfair.



"I cannot understand how you can criticise Ancelotti, who won the Double in his first season at Chelsea," Ferguson told Gazzetta dello Sport. "It's the fault of the current media atmosphere.



"They invent problems where there are none. I am certain Carlo reacts like me. He ignores the media so that your decisions, your philosophy and your mental health are not affected by it. How can Chelsea think of changing a coach like him?"



Ferguson also defended Chelsea striker Fernando Torres who has come in for criticism for his failure to score since his £50 million move from Liverpool in January.



"Of course he will start scoring," the United boss said. "I just hope he waits a little bit, at least until after the tie against us.



"When Chelsea signed him, everyone said what a great signing he was, and rightly so. Now everyone says that it was a mistake. Can people be more ridiculous? Of course he needs time to adapt."



Ferguson also said that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho would have to wait to replace him at Old Trafford as he has no intention of retiring imminently.



"Jose is a great friend of mine," Ferguson said. "We have spoken many times about his future and I understand his wish to return to England because here a coach has more freedom than in Spain, without the constant following of the media and radio.



"But it's difficult for me to say when my position will be available. It will be my health that decides. I will continue until I no longer feel the energy that has always accompanied me.



"My father, who worked in the shipyards, retired at the age of 65 and one year later he was dead. The worst you can do is to say I have worked for 45 years and now I have a right to rest. You need to always remain active and in good form.




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Ferguson defends referee remarks

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says managers should be free to discuss performances of officials, providing any criticism is merited.



Ferguson was recently handed a five-match touchline ban and £30,000 fine by the Football Association for criticising referee Martin Atkinson.



The Scot told ESPN: "If you speak your mind it's a problem in the game. The FA are very strong in supporting referees.



"In a way I totally agree with that, but there's got to be fair comment."



Ferguson was found guilty of improper conduct after he expressed his frustration at Atkinson's display in the 2-1 Premier League defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 1 March.



"You want a fair referee - or a strong referee, anyway - and we didn't get that," he said immediately after the match.



Craig Moore, chairman of the FA commission that sanctioned the Manchester United manager, wrote that Ferguson had "undermined the FA's Respect campaign" and added: "Respect for referees' integrity is essential for the integrity of football."



Despite his punishment, Ferguson has refused to take his punishment lightly and has continued to complain about the performance of officials in recent fixtures.



"I think the last few games we've had terrible decisions against us and you've just got to be careful you don't have paranoia about it," said Ferguson.



The five-match touchline ban began with United's 1-0 win over Bolton at Old Trafford on 19 March.



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