Gardner makes his case for England call-up

Anthony Gardner hopes his top-class display of defending against England strikers Michael Owen and Emile Heskey will give him a chance to impress at international level.

Sven-Goran Eriksson saw Gardner's commanding performance at the heart of a defence that completely nullified Liverpool's main goal threat as Spurs won 2-1 to rise to 11th in the table.

Gardner, who was partnered by the improving Gary Doherty, was handed a surprise call-up last November when Middlesbrough defender Gareth Southgate pulled out of Eriksson's squad for the friendly with Denmark.

A back injury wrecked his chances of making a dream England debut but the 22-year-old wants to be in the squad for next month's friendly against Portugal and has eyes on a place for Euro 2004.

"I didn't know Sven was watching until someone told me at half-time," said Gardner. "I want another chance. If I am playing well and the team are doing well, then I think I should be rewarded with a chance of being in the squad.

"If he thinks I'm playing well, I will be delighted to be picked again - hopefully to play this time. I feel I am a Premiership player now and that has come from playing games regularly."

It would be doing Spurs an injustice to say that Owen was out of sorts, but even Gardner accepted that the England striker is still trying to regain his best form after a long absence through injury.

Spurs, with Michael Brown making a more than competent debut in midfield in place of the injured Ledley King, never allowed Liverpool to settle and fully deserved the victory.

Liverpool were in disarray in defence and Spurs' win was sealed by a first-half penalty from Robbie Keane and Helder Postiga's strike soon after the break. Harry Kewell grabbed a late consolation.

Freddie Kanoute's decision to play for Mali in the African Nations Cup has given Portuguese striker Postiga the chance to shine and he took his chance in style by converting Johnnie Jackson's magical through ball with a clever finish.

"I want to make it difficult for the manager when Freddie Kanoute comes back," said Postiga. "It has been hard to keep my head up but I am delighted to have scored my first (Premiership) goal."

Doherty has been labelled a utility player during his career but he said: "That word is a hindrance. Glenn (Hoddle) was never sure where to play me and I used to train as a forward. It was a bad time as it messed with my head. Hopefully coach Chris Hughton can push the case for me in defence."