Brad Friedel hailed Rovers’ return to Europe an even better achievement than winning the Worthington Cup, as they thrashed Tottenham 4-0 on this day in 2003.

That result, coupled with Everton's 2-1 defeat against Manchester United, was enough to secure a top six finish on a dramatic final day of the season.

Damien Duff underlined exactly why he was one of the most wanted man in the Premiership with a mesmerising display of wing-wizardry.

The Irishman was simply irresistible as Rovers secured a UEFA Cup spot at Spurs' expense for the second successive season.

Glenn Hoddle's sorry side had no answer as Duff scored once and had a hand in two others to ensure the season reached a magnificent conclusion.

potential to do even better next season providing they can tweak one or two areas of their game.

"It feels a little bit different qualifying for Europe this time compared to when we did it last year," said Friedel.

"Last year we did it by winning a Cup which was very nice and great for a club which had just come up from the First Division.

"But this year it's a better feeling because you feel as though you've accomplished more because over the course of 38 games we've finished in sixth, despite a very poor record against the bottom teams.

"So if we can clean that up a little bit next season then who knows. Maybe, just maybe, we can get one or two places higher but we'll sit down at the beginning of next season and have a talk about what our goals are and how we can reach them."

Goals from Dwight Yorke, Craig Hignett, Damien Duff and Andy Cole ensured Rovers banked a whopping £7,545,000 jackpot for finishing sixth, which will boost Graeme Souness's transfer kitty during the coming months.

And Friedel was anticipating a busy summer of wheeling and dealing as the manager looks to build on what has been another fabulous season of achievement.

"I don't want to start talking about the Champions League," said Friedel.

"A lot depends on what happens in the transfer market. I've got a feeling it's going to be a busy summer in that sense so we'll just have to wait and see.

"But for now I just want to enjoy what we've achieved.

"We wanted to finish higher than 10th and get into Europe and we've achieved that.

"Once we got knocked out of the Cups that was the only way of doing that and it's a tribute to the lads that we made it.

"To finish it at White Hart Lane as well was just fantastic, too, because I don't think that has been one of our favourite grounds to get a result at in the past.

"Maybe 4-0 was a little bit false in the sense that they had a man sent off so early but once we got the second goal and then the third one it was too big of a mountain for them to climb and it became a testimonial at times."

But Souness’ biggest job would be to hold on to his top talent, with Duff and Friedel attracting interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.

Friedel refused to be drawn on any speculation regarding his own future but Souness is determined to hang onto his star men.

"Damien has three years left to run on his contract and it would have to be an absolutely ridiculous offer to prize him away, and that applies to other players at the club as well," said the Rovers boss.

"Duffer is a top class player, the Champions League is where he wants to be, and that's where I want to be, too.

"He'll get there one day and hopefully that's with us."

Rovers had started the day in the knowledge they had to win and then hope that Manchester United could do them a favour at Goodison but little did they know that Spurs were going to make it so easy.

Spurs never got to grips with Duff in particular who seemed to pop up all over the place, wreaking havoc wherever he went.

Rovers then broke the deadlock in the fifth minute with a goal of the highest quality.

Duff fed a clever ball in to Cole who in turn found Yorke with a clever flick and the former Manchester United man steadied himself before sliding a cool finish inside Keller's left-hand post.

The defining moment came in the 31st minute when Poyet suddenly had a rush of blood and scythed Flitcroft down with a nasty two-footed lunge.

Referee Andy D'Urso had no option but to reach for his top pocket while Flitcroft was left with a leg wound which required five stitches and ultimately cut short his afternoon.

Things then went from bad to worse for Hoddle as Rovers struck another major psychological blow on the stroke of half-time.

Perry's poor defensive header dropped kindly for Hignett on the edge of the box and the veteran schemer dispatched the sweetest of volleys past Keller into the far corner.

By now Spurs were dead and buried but the visitors were in no mood to show mercy.

Duff made it 3-0 on 48 minutes with a slide-rule finish after the ball broke loose following a collision between Yorke and a defender.

In a rare moment of danger at the opposite end, Keane got in on the right but his shot was expertly palmed aside by the impeccable Friedel.

That failed to turn the tide, though, as a rampant Rovers added a fourth two minutes later.

Duff turned provider this time as he tricked his way past Perry and then rounded Keller before having the presence of mind to cut the ball back for Cole to bundle it home.

All that was left was to check on the Everton result and as news filtered through that Ruud Van Nistelrooy had converted a late penalty for United the celebrations started.