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Vdv calls for Spurs response

Rafael van der Vaart is positive Tottenham will bounce back © PA Photos

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Rafael van der Vaart has insisted Tottenham will bounce back from their mauling at the hands of rivals Arsenal.

Spurs went into Sunday's North London derby 10 points clear of the Gunners and looked well set to reinforce their position in third when powering into a 2-0 lead.

But Arsenal produced a stirring fightback to secure a 5-2 win - prompting manager Arsene Wenger to claim his side were on the hunt for third place.

Van der Vaart, who picked up an injury in the game and will miss Netherlands' friendly with England, is putting the defeat down to a minor blip and is confident of a positive response.

"It's not difficult to lift ourselves, it's football," Van der Vaart said. "Sunday was a bad day but we're still seven points ahead of Arsenal in third place so we're not worried.

"It was a strange game. The first 20 minutes was really good but, at 2-0 up, they came back with a good goal and we were a little bit nervous. We knew that Arsenal have a great squad and at the end of the day they deserved to win. The first Arsenal goal from Bacary Sagna changed everything.

"Tottenham had total control of the game and then out of nothing they scored - and then the game changed.

"But we have the mental strength to put this behind us. It is just one game and we lost. But for the fans and for us, with it being Arsenal it always hurts."

Totttenham face Manchester United in their next game and Van der Vaart is aware of the need to fashion a response.

He said: "Now we have a big week coming up with Manchester United next Sunday.

"After the international break it's always difficult but the confidence is there and we also showed in the first half that we are still a top team.

"It's going to be difficult because United are a strong team and always difficult to beat but we always play well at home."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.