Pochettino admits Spurs title chances fading
LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino admits Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of making a realistic challenge for the Premier League title are fading as once again they struggled to break down a defence-minded team at Wembley.
Prior to Saturday’s 1-1 draw with managerless West Bromwich Albion, Pochettino’s men had just one Premier League goal in three matches and have drawn with Burnley, Swansea City and now West Brom this season.
“We moved the ball so slow in the first half hour,” complained Pochettino. “But maybe because we concede the goal — it was a massive impact for us.
“In the last 15 minutes we played better, moved the ball better and found better space. The second half was very good, the team played very well and we created many chances.
“It is disappointing to drop two points. But it is difficult for me to explain why we have not won the game today.”
Despite boasting the attacking talents of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, Spurs have struggled to breach teams who are prepared to defend deep.
In the first half in particular, Tottenham lacked the guile to slice through the Baggies and were often reduced to shots from distance and visiting keeper Ben Foster was rarely troubled.
“The effort against West Bromwich was massive but in the last third, we need to be more clinical in front of goal,” added Pochettino.
“I don’t like to talk about the start. But the team created the chances to win and the possibility to score. Only Harry (Kane) rescued one point but it is true our performance was enough to win but we didn’t win.”
Tony Pulis was dismissed as West Brom’s manager after a