Spurs star claims Mancini's side rule the roost on current form but Spurs aren't too far behind after latest win against QPR extends Harry Redknapp's impressive unbeaten run
Roberto Mancini's side find themselves five points clear at the summit of the table, though on current form, Spurs are only slightly off the pace, being undefeated in the last eight domestic outings.
In their latest win, a Van der Vaart goal was sandwiched between two sweet Gareth Bale strikes to earn Spurs a well-deserved 3-1 victory against London rivals QPR, moving Redknapp's side up level on points with Chelsea having played a fixture less.
For Van der Vaart, the win helped Spurs keep the heat on the chase for Champions League qualification after last year's failure to rejoin Europe's elite.
After a maiden season impressing against the likes of AC Milan and Inter last season, Spurs' failure to rejoin the Champions League represented a big step back from the club, with Redknapp establishing the central importance of a top-four Premier League finish this term.
"We have a good feeling and I think, once again, this club will be top four," said Van der Vaart.
"We’re working hard and we have good players, important players. Especially for me to score goals, it’s good.
"It’s still early and there’s a long way to go. I think we are much better than last season but at the moment Manchester City are the best team in the league.
"And under Manchester City there are a lot of good teams and we are one of them.
"All you can speak about is at this moment now and they are winning the games. How they played against Manchester United was impressive.
"But also, they are a difficult team, with a lot of egos. There’s a problem when you have too many big stars."
The Dutchman continued: "Last season we dropped too many points against these type of teams
"We played really well, but made it a little bit difficult at the end. We had a lot of chances and could have had maybe four or five goals.
"How we played the first half was really good. The second half we switched off, which is sometimes a problem but today we were lucky.
"In the end we got three points and we’re close to the top four now, so it’s great for us."
Spurs recent strong form has coincided with an impressive run from Van der Vaart himself, with the attacker netting six times in his last five outings.
That run has seen the Dutchman equal a club record with Robbie Keane and Teddy Sheringham, of scoring in five consecutive Premier League games. The ex-Real Madrid man attributes such form to a combination of good fitness and tactical deployment.
"I always want to play you know," said Van der Vaart.
"You have to keep on working and I’m really fit now and feeling good. My body is working and that’s the most important thing, then I can be really helpful for the team.
"This position in the hole is my favourite one. Of course, when I’m needed on the right side I can play there as well. I played there against Arsenal and did well, so it’s not a problem."
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