Hutton sure Spurs can seize title

Alan Hutton insists "dark horses" Tottenham can grab the Premier League as he claims all the pressure is on the 'Big Four' this season.

Fifth-placed Spurs travel to Blackpool on Sunday knowing victory is vital to their hopes of keeping pace with the leaders in what is developing into the most open championship battle for years.

Manchester United's victory over Arsenal on Monday night saw them move seven points clear of Tottenham, who have also played a game more.

Right-back Hutton acknowledges Spurs are outsiders as they bid to land their first league title for half a century but said: "I think it's better that way - there's no pressure on us.

"Everybody can see how good we're playing and what we're doing.

"So let the pressure be on them and we'll just play away."

The past month has seen manager Harry Redknapp repeatedly declare his side could win the title but their hopes have been hit by successive 1-1 draws with Birmingham and champions Chelsea, games they led and could easily have won.

Hutton added: "We're definitely a dark horse in the race.

"I don't think anybody can really write us off.

"We'll give it our best and, as we've shown, we don't fear any team that we play.

"So I don't see why we can't be in with a shout."

Spurs have arguably been the side to watch this season, both domestically and in the Champions League, which they have taken by storm in their maiden season in the competition.

Their story has been mirrored in the Premier League by Sunday's opponents, who have been a breath of fresh air in their first top-flight campaign since 1971.

Heavy favourites for the drop before a ball was kicked in August, Ian Holloway's side have played with a courageous freedom that has been rewarded with a place in the top half of the table.

Hutton said: "Blackpool have done absolutely amazingly and it's going to be such a tough game going there.

"We expect it to be really hard and we're going to have to work extremely hard to stop them.

"But I still imagine it to be a quite open game and hopefully we can come out on top."

Hutton will be denied an on-field reunion with Scotland team-mate and fellow former Rangers youth Charlie Adam, who is suspended for Sunday's match after picking up his fifth booking of the season.

"That's a shame," Hutton said.

"I can imagine he'd have been looking forward to playing us.

"We more or less came through as young boys together, so I know him really well.

"I still speak to him quite a lot.

"He's doing really well there and I'm happy to see him away from Rangers and showing everybody how good he actually is."

Since leaving Ibrox, Adam has become a talismanic figure at Blackpool, while Hutton has had his ups and downs in his near-three years at White Hart Lane.

After a bright start, injuries and a dip in form saw him lose his place and his days looked numbered when he joined Sunderland on loan for the second half of last season.

But the 26-year-old never stopped believing he could resurrect his Tottenham career and feels he is now back to his best.

"I had a bit of an off spell though injury and obviously my personal performances," said Hutton, the latest player who manager Harry Redknapp has transformed during his two years in charge.

"But now I'm happy, I'm playing well and hopefully I can build on that."