Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is expecting the battle for Champions League places to go right to the end of the English Premier League season.

Tottenham’s 3-1 win at home to Swansea left them level on points with third-placed local rivals Arsenal and occupying the fourth and final spot on offer to English clubs.

Importantly, Sunday’s victory at White Hart Lane also pulled them five points clear of nearest pursuers Chelsea and Newcastle with seven games left.

“It’s going to be tight,” Redknapp said.

“I wouldn’t write Chelsea off, I wouldn’t write Newcastle off – they’ve done a miracle as well – and Arsenal obviously are there.

“It’s going to be interesting but that’s what football is about. That’s what supporters want – they want excitement. It’s going to be a great end to the season,” added Redknapp, the favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as England boss.

Tottenham were 1-0 up at halftime thanks to Rafael van der Vaart’s early opener before Gylfi Sigurdsson, on loan from German club Hoffenheim, equalised for Swansea.

But Spurs secured a first league win in six games thanks to late headers from striker Emmanuel Adebayor, on loan from title contenders Manchester City.

“I thought we were fantastic first half,” Redknapp said.

“The players did everything we asked – pressed and closed and had all the chances really.

“They (Swansea) started well, the first 10 minutes, and then we got after them all over the park and broke their game up.

“They’re a good side, they play fantastic football but I don’t think we really let them play in the first half.”

Victory completed a successful week for Tottenham following a goalless draw with Chelsea and a 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Bolton.

“We’ve been playing well,” Redknapp said.

“It’s been a good week. We went to Chelsea last week and played ever so well.”