Dimitar Berbatov has revealed how a Christmas drink with Martin Jol and his team-mates on the South Coast forged his loyalties to Tottenham.

The Bulgarian striker is used to enjoying a winter break over the festive holidays as European football enjoys a Christmas showdown. But he was comforted by Jol and his fellow Spurs squad members as they prepared for the Premiership clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park at the turn of the year.

Berbatov responded by becoming the star attraction in the Premiership over the second half of the exciting season, taking his goal tally to 23 in all competitions and being named in the PFA team of the year.

"At first I was thinking it would be difficult to be away from my family and friends for Christmas and New Year because I was used to going home to celebrate and spend time with them," the £10.9million bargain from Bayer Leverkusen told hotspur, the official Tottenham magazine.

"The night we stayed at the hotel before playing Portsmouth away on New Year's Day we were sitting together having dinner and the gaffer came along with a glass of champagne. He said 'okay boys, I know it is difficult for everybody, but I am happy to be here with you because we are like a family'.