Swansea, Wales, Jan 1: Tottenham missed the chance to close within four points of the Premier League summit after being held to a 1-1 draw by Swansea on Saturday.
Rafael van der Vaart had given third-place Tottenham the lead just before half time after capitalizing on a defensive error from Joe Allen to sweep home with the help of a deflection from Ashley Williams.
Swansea had not managed to pick up a single point this season after conceding the first goal, but the hosts bucked the trend when goalkeeper Brad Friedel hesitated when dealing with a late deflected Angel Rangel cross for Scott Sinclair to nip in and equalize.
"It was a sloppy goal," Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said. "One or two of them switched off and we didn't pick up Sinclair, we have let him come in unmarked so it was a catalogue of errors, but that's how it goes.
"It was a tight game, they are a good side, I like the way they play. The way they pass is amazing really."
Tottenham is six points behind Manchester rivals City and United. Swansea, in its first season in the Premier League, reaches the New Year with 20 points, five clear of the relegation zone.
"A draw was the least we deserved against a team who coming into today were the form team in the country, and one of the best passing teams," manager Brendan Rodgers said.
Tottenham lost influential midfielder Scott Parker to a knee injury with 19 minutes to go, when Spurs were still leading. Redknapp said he was unsure how serious the problem was.
"He has made a massive difference since he came in, we haven't lost many when he has played," Redknapp said. "I think only once he has been on the losing team, he has been that important."
