Not even the presence of midfielder Fabrice Muamba, making his first visit to the ground since suffering a cardiac arrest against Spurs at White Hart Lane in March, could inspire the relegation-threatened hosts to victory at the Reebok Stadium.

Luka Modric's 25-yard swerving shot put Tottenham in front eight minutes before half-time before Nigel Reo-Coker gave Muamba and the Bolton faithful something to cheer with a 51st minute equaliser.

But three goals in nine minutes, including two from Emmanuel Adebayor, turned the tide in Tottenham's favour.

Coyle believes the scoreline flattered Tottenham.

"I'm standing here a bit bemused and bewildered to think what we've offered to the game and that we've lost 4-1," he said.

"A lot of things went against us. It was a wonder goal from Luka Modric but it should never have been a goal in the first place – Sandro has punched the ball on, the referee is well positioned to give it, but he hasn't.

"We came out well for the second half and out play was fantastic, the goal, the move itself, and then from that point on we were the team who looked capable of winning the game," he said.

Coyle said van der Vaart's goal early in the second half was the turning point.

"My big disappointment was the second goal. It could have been easily prevented," he said.

Coyle said it was too early to say if Muamba would ever play football again despite the 24-year-old's remarkable recovery since his collapse at White Hart Lane during an FA Cup tie.

"To see Fabrice here tonight was fantastic. It was great to see everyone see how well he has recovered," he said.

Bolton are third-bottom and even if they defeat West Bromwich Albion on Sunday and Stoke City on the season's final day, two wins for QPR from their remaining games means Coyle's charges will be relegated.

Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp is eyeing a permanent deal for Adebayor.

The Togolese striker's double saw him move on to 16 goals for the season and Redknapp made it clear he wanted Adebayor at White Hart Lane for the long term.

"I love Adebayor. We'll have to see what happens. I would like him, he has done very well. I haven't spoken to the chairman yet," he said.

Redknapp said he was fully focused on qualifying for next season's Champions League after insisting he is "history" as far as the England manager's job is concerned.

"I didn't wake up on Monday morning and think, 'what's happened to my life, I'm not the England manager'," he said.

"I wish Roy Hodgson all the best. I'm fed up of hearing my name mentioned now. I'm history with that job. Roy deserves it, he's got it and I just hope he makes a great job of it."

The victory kept Tottenham ahead of Newcastle on goal difference and just a point behind third-placed north London rivals Arsenal.

"Its tight. Newcastle winning at Chelsea, I couldn't see that (Newcastle winning) tonight in all honesty. But it's put them right in there," Redknapp said.

"Man City have got a tough game there on Sunday. (Sir Alex Ferguson) will be thinking this isn't over yet. So it's all to play for.

"We've got to go to Villa who suddenly looked stronger last week. They have some players back, so that'll be tough.

"Then we have Fulham last game which won't be easy. Martin Jol will certainly want to come back to Tottenham and do well against us," Redknapp said.