Brazilian keeper admits mistake for Ronaldo goal, but says Spurs’ season is far from over

HEURELHO Gomes admits that last night’s gaffe against Real Madrid is not his first high-profile howler at Tottenham – and concedes that it is unlikely to be his last.

The Brazilian’s Spurs career has been dogged by high-profile errors and, having been beaten at his near post by Cristiano Ronaldo last Tuesday in Madrid, the Lilywhites’ keeper was in the spotlight again last night after fumbling another Ronaldo effort into his net.

Gomes concedes that he was entirely at fault for Real’s 50th-minute winner last night, which earned the Spaniards a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane, and a 5-0 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

However, he insists that Spurs’ European adventure was already over when he made his error shortly after half-time, and refutes suggestions that Ronaldo’s away goal was the killer blow.

“I think if I had pushed the ball away it would have been different, but I tried to stop the ball twice. It moved a little bit but it was a mistake and I accept it,” said Gomes.

“This was not my first mistake and I hope that it will be my last, but I know it will not be the last one in my career.

“I need to show character, like I did before. I know I was so important for the club and for the team in the past, and I need to move on and recover quickly because they need me. I have to look forward because I know how important that is for the team.

“It was a mistake, it was a difficult moment in the game for me. The team was playing well, but the goal did not change the game because we needed to score four goals in the second half. It was already over.”

Having helped Tottenham to reach the last eight in their first season in the Champions League, Gomes believes that Spurs could have an even greater impact on the tournament next season – if they qualify.

“The dream is over but we will still keep going to make sure we get a place in next year’s competition. The season isn’t over yet,” he said.

“Next season it will be really different because everyone knows how to play in the Champions League now. We say well done to everyone because I think that we did great in the competition.

“It’s not easy qualifying in first place in your group, and then to play against AC Milan and Real Madrid for the first time.

“It’s not about bouncing back now, I think we need to keep going. We were playing against Real Madrid, now we need to look forward to Arsenal because they are a great opponent and it will be a massive game for us.”