LONDON -- Tottenham failed to find its attacking spark in a drab 0-0 draw at last-place Queens Park Rangers in the English Premier League on Saturday, opening the door for its rivals in the fight for the Champions League places.
Jermain Defoe had a sixth-minute shot tipped onto the post by QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who also saved well from the England striker early in the second half in the best chances at Loftus Road.
Otherwise, Spurs lacked the guile to break down a resilient defensive effort by the hosts, satisfying QPR manager Harry Redknapp in a match against the club that fired him last summer.
"They defended very well -- we wanted to play with a higher tempo, but they frustrate you," said Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas, whose side dropped to fourth after Chelsea's 4-0 win at Stoke. "I'm a bit disappointed."
QPR remains deep in relegation trouble with 16 matches left, still five points adrift of safety. But after this result and the 1-0 win at Chelsea last time out, the London club at least looks to be heading in the right direction under Redknapp after its dreadful start to the season under former manager Mark Hughes.
"We've got resolve now and it's all down to the changes the new management have made (to tighten up the team)," QPR midfielder Shaun Derry said. "Our season has been the best part of disastrous until a few weeks ago."
Tottenham lost Brazil midfielder Sandro to a knee injury in the 24th minute and saw striker Emmanuel Adebayor play his last match before heading to the African Nations Cup with Togo.
Defender Ryan Nelsen, who will manage Toronto FC next season, started for QPR.
