Tottenham pressure can force Manchester City to choke in Premier League title race, says Rafael van der Vaart

And Van der Vaart believes Tottenham, who will not be hit by key players disappearing for the Africa Cup of Nations, unlike City who will lose Yaya and Kolo Toure, should be considered genuine title contenders, possibly even favourites.

"Everybody knows Spurs have a great team and if we can keep playing like this, then we're also favourites to win the title," said the Dutch international.

"When we played Man City in August, they were too good but in the last few games they have not been as consistent and they lost last night, too. Maybe it's a little bit in their heads.

"They have invested so much money, so everyone expects they're going to win it but we're still there. Do we believe we can do it? Absolutely. It's a massive game and we're really looking forward to it but first we must beat Wolves on Saturday.

"We are much better now than we were at the start of the season, so I'm really looking forward to the games that are coming up.

"City have so many good players that even when they're not playing well, they can decide a game, whereas we're more of a team. It's going to be very interesting.

"We played well there last season but lost 1-0, so we will go there with confidence and there is no reason why we can't win."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp piles pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City

“The story for you boys is Tottenham and Harry and there will probably be two lines on Everton and David Moyes and rightly so,” Moyes said. “They are title contenders and they are a really good team.”

Redknapp agreed, stating: “I’ve been saying all along it’s not impossible to win the title but it’s very, very hard. But we’re in there, we’ve got a chance. I wouldn’t put that pressure on the players. They believe we’ve got a chance — we’ve got good players, good spirit.”

He said his players had discussed the possibility of challenging the Manchester clubs but reiterated his view that simply qualifying for the Champions League would constitute success.

“The title is not beyond the realms of possibility. We’ve got some real quality, haven’t we?” Redknapp added. “We’re up there. We’re in the Champions League mix and looking to do that.

"Who knows? Nothing’s impossible, you have to keep believing and apart from that I enjoy the way we play. If you don’t enjoy the way we play, then you shouldn’t be watching football.”

Redknapp plans to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes with Spurs emerging as the favourites to sign Christopher Samba, who appears set to leave Blackburn Rovers.

Queens Park Rangers are also vying for the imposing central defender but Spurs are confident of signing him for around £8 million as they continue their push for a Champions League place.

Spurs are also likely to outbid QPR’s £5 million, although they have been waiting to see whether Gary Cahill signs for Chelsea.

That £7 million deal should go through by the end of this week — it is most likely to be confirmed today — making him eligible to appear against Sunderland on Saturday.

The Bolton Wanderers defender, who is out of contract in the summer, has finally agreed a salary and sign-on package with Chelsea after a series of meetings between the club and his representatives.