Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp saw his side beat Portsmouth 2-0 then warned of the threat Liverpool will pose in the race for fourth spot.
Spurs recovered after a slow start to take the lead when former Pompey striker Peter Crouch nodded in a deep cross from Gareth Bale before Nico Kranjcar, another Fratton Park old boy, netted from close range five minutes before the break.
Portsmouth - who are all but relegated following a nine-point deduction for going into administration - had the better of the early exchanges, but were left with more injury woes after defender Hermann Hreidarsson was carried off with a suspected snapped Achilles, substitute Danny Webber suffered a knee problem and England keeper David James, who had been troubled by a calf injury, was unable to finish the game.
Hreidarsson's season could be over, while both Webber and James may now miss the FA Cup semi-final against Spurs at Wembley in a fortnight.
For Redknapp's side, however, the prognosis for the remainder of the campaign looks positive, as they are now five points clear of Manchester City, who play Wigan on Monday night.
"It has been a good week," said Redknapp, whose side also beat Fulham on Wednesday night to set up their trip to Wembley in a fortnight.
"We are on a terrific run, that is five league wins on the spin now, which has kept us right in the race for fourth spot and we are in good form."
Redknapp added: "Villa now have it all do after their result at Chelsea (a 7-1 loss), which is a massive setback, but Liverpool have got a fantastic run-in and you cannot see them dropping many points.
"But you never know. There are no easy games this time of season and everyone is scrapping for points for all sorts of reasons."
Redknapp guided Pompey to FA Cup glory in 2008, and worked with many of the players during his time at Fratton Park.
"I was sad to see Hermann's injury. He is such a great lad and gives everything," said Redknapp.
"He looks like he has snapped his Achilles, the lads said they heard it snap, like a gunshot.
"Once he went down, I knew he was injured because he is as hard as nails and you know he would not lay down unless he was bad.
"I went to see him after, and he was in bits."
Spurs captain Michael Dawson limped out of the second half. Redknapp said: "His Achilles is sore. We will just have to wrap him up a bit and see how he is."
Pompey boss Avram Grant was, meanwhile, left to reflect on another afternoon of misfortune in what has been a season to forget - but once again hailed the spirit of his players.
"At the moment, it looks like we have a problem for the semi-final, because at the moment we only have 10 fit players, but we need to wait and see," said the Israeli.
"But we are not going to give up and will continue to keep fighting despite everything.
"We are trying to be professional and keep the spirit of the game, to play with pride for the supporters.
"I am very, very proud of the boys.
"We came here short of players, with guys out of position, and played well.
"They had two chances and used them both, we had two, but did not take them."
Portsmouth have appealed to Tottenham to ask whether on-loan midfielder Jamie O'Hara - who had to sit out this game - can feature in their FA Cup semi-final.
"I hope Tottenham agree, because it is not often Portsmouth get to a semi-final," said Grant.
"We need to let the player who did well for us be there, but it is up to Tottenham."
However, Spurs boss Redknapp is not likely to give the idea his backing.
"I have never discussed it with anybody, but I would not think it is a possibility, no," he said.
"It is difficult, because he is going to come back here next season.
"It is a shame for Jamie, but I am sure there will be more semi-finals to come somewhere along the line."
Grant believes this game will have little bearing on the forthcoming cup tie.
He said: "Today, Tottenham played for something, we just played for the spirit of football - but at Wembley, everyone will be playing to get into the final."
