Joe Cole backs Tottenham to 'nick' fourth - and a place in next season's UCL

Joe Cole has backed Tottenham to 'nick' fourth place in the Premier League and secure a place in next season's Champions League competition, despite drawing 1-1 with West Ham on Tuesday.

Spurs blew their early 1-0 lead after Brennan Johnson tapped-in Timo Werner's cutback to put the visitor's in firm control of the tie.

Kurt Zouma hit back with a brilliant headed goal to rescue a point for the Hammers and defended resolutely as Tottenham fought without result to secure what would have been an important three points in the race for the top four.

Achieving such a feat would require Spurs to leapfrog Aston Villa and hold off any potential charge from Manchester United with just 11-points separating the three teams.

Tuesday's draw moved Tottenham to within seven-points of Villa - who travel to Man City on Wednesday - and Cole believes they could catch Unai Emery's side.

'I think Spurs could nick fourth. Tottenham were the surprise package at the start of the season,' Cole told TNT Sports.

'[Destiny] Udogie, [Micky] Van de Ven, [Pedro] Porro, [James] Maddison brought this team on. I think they can hunt down Villa,' he added.

'Villa's campaign in Europe will take something away from them. They're playing against Lille, they'll push Villa.

'If Tottenham can get into fourth place, fifth will probably be enough for Champions League,' he said.

Cole's comments are in stark contrast to the former West Ham and Chelsea star's pre-match comments where he labelled Spurs as 'not a big club'.

The 42-year-old fumed at his former side's rivals, stating: 'Although Tottenham haven't won much silverware, they act and behave like a team that has.

'They are not a big club like Manchester United and Liverpool, they are a big club but not of that stature.'