Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas insists his team's Europa League run is not a distraction ahead of their Premier League clash with West Ham on Monday.
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Spurs progressed to the last-16 in the Europa League in midweek thanks to a last-minute Mousa Dembele goal to seal a 3-2 aggregate win over Olympique Lyon.
Despite concerns that their league form might suffer because of a prolonged run in Europe, Villas-Boas believes Spurs have the mental strength to focus their efforts on restoring a four-point buffer between themselves and north London rivals Arsenal.
"We've been having some great, great results," he said.
"After Europa League games we've always been good in the Premier League. I think it puts us in a good position to face West Ham.
"I don't think it's a distraction, I think it's an inspiration and I hope it can be exactly that against West Ham."
Meanwhile, Dembele also believes that the confidence gained from a successful European campaign can spur them on in their hunt for a fourth-placed finish in the league.
"We don't have to fear any team. People have respect for us. If you're in a winning mood it's important in the league," the midfielder said.
"We have two more very important games coming up in the league (against West Ham then at home to Arsenal on 3 March) so the confidence will stay high and that's good for us."
Dembele also recognised that West Ham will be a different kettle of fish to the challenge they faced in France.
"It will be a different game to the Lyon one of course," he added.
"Teams always have a lot of respect for us and they drop back so it's always difficult, but I think we need to do the difference, we have to fight for each other as well.
"It will be a physical game, for sure, but we are used to it and this is a special match for us and the supporters too because it is a derby."
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