Redknapp hails Dawson return

Harry Redknapp hailed the return of Michael Dawson as his Tottenham Hotspur side defeated Everton 2-0 at home on Wednesday.

It was the first time centre-back Dawson has appeared in the English Premier League since suffering an Achilles injury during a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City on August 28.

And manager Redknapp expressed his delight at having the Spurs vice-captain available again.

The former Nottingham Forest man’s return helped guide Spurs to an eighth clean sheet in their last 20 matches.

“Michael has been out for about four months,” Redknapp told Fox Sports following the victory at White Hart Lane.

“He was on the bench for the game against Swansea and only had one day of training. I asked him to just sit on the bench for cover and he said ‘no problem’ and that’s how he is.”

“He is an amazing lad. They are the type of lads that make any football club a good club.”

The victory moves Tottenham level on points with second-placed Manchester United, and Redknapp was pleased with his side’s dominant performance against well-organised opposition.

“It was a great win for us,” he said.

“It is always difficult to beat Everton. You never get an easy game against them.”

“They had a very attacking team out tonight and they went for it and started the game well but we got on top and played very well in the end. A good performance.”

“Everton were always dangerous on the break, they’ve got good forward players and midfield players who can get forward.”

“We needed the goal and once we scored the goal, we dominated the goal. We had loads of possession, some great passing. (We played) some fantastic football at times.”

Everton manager David Moyes believes his team went unrewarded following what he felt was a positive performance.

“We did okay, but I’m disappointed – we had one or two good opportunities that we didn’t take,” he said.

“But we played quite well and there were a lot of good signs.”

“I think the players did really well. They tried to do the right things – just in the end, (they) failed, but Tottenham are a good team.”