Pochettino plays down Tottenham title hopes but ‘still believes’

Rob McCarthy
Mauricio Pochettino: Delighted with the win at Burnley

Mauricio Pochettino: Delighted with the win at Burnley

Mauricio Pochettino has played down Tottenham’s chances of catching leaders Chelsea and insisted the Blues have too much experience to be affected by pressure.

Spurs’ 2-0 victory at Burnley on Saturday was made all the sweeter as the Premier League pacesetters suffered a shock defeat at home to struggling Crystal Palace.

It means Chelsea’s advantage at the top has been cut to seven points and the gap could be reduced even further given they host Manchester City on Wednesday.

Tottenham travel to Swansea the same evening and might even sit one point behind Antonio Conte’s men come Saturday, when they face Watford in the early kick-off ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Manchester United on Sunday.

Pochettino, however, refused to get carried away.

“We reduced the gap by three points but it’s still a big gap, seven is a massive difference,” Pochettino said.

“Chelsea, two and a half years ago they won the Premier League and 80 per cent of the players have experience of how to manage the pressure.

“They can win or lose but it’s not putting pressure or stress on them.”

Chelsea’s players may have more experience but Spurs do have the momentum, having won five games on the bounce and scored 17 goals in that period.

“In football all can happen,” Pochettino said.

“That’s a good reason for all – belief is the most important thing in football – not only quality, running or being strong. Belief, faith and fight. Nothing is impossible in football and that is our idea, our philosophy.

“We need to keep going in that direction and it’s true the Premier League is tough to play in, and to win every game and compete. It’s so competitive.

“But if it can happen? Yes, of course, it can happen and our mind must be positive to try to imagine and dream and believe and give our best.”

Even if Chelsea prove unassailable, Tottenham are in a commanding position in the chase for Champions League qualification, nine points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, albeit having played one game more.

Spurs have never managed successive seasons in the Champions League and Pochettino says that remains the primary target.

“After 29 games we are a real contender now for the top four and that’s very good news for us,” Pochettino said.

“When we started the season, if you compared us with other top-six teams or teams that are below us, their investment and signings, massive investment and massive signings, but we keep our philosophy.

“I think today if we assess the season, it’s fantastic and a very good season we’re having.”

Pochettino could be short in midfield against Swansea given Harry Winks and Victor Wanyama both had to come off against Burnley with ankle and back injuries respectively.