Pochettino urges Tottenham to block out top four talk

LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham cannot allow themselves to be distracted by the fluctuating form of their nearest rivals as they step up their bid for a top four spot.

Pochettino’s side are in fifth place, one point behind Liverpool in fourth, as Juergen Klopp’s side were held by Arsenal and Chelsea and Manchester United both drew.

The contest to fill the places behind runaway leaders Manchester City is expected to go to the wire and after an inconsistent campaign, Pochettino will hope his side can enter the new year on the back of a winning run.

“We cannot think about another club. We need to keep the momentum, to try to win again, to be consistent,” Pochettino said.

“If we want to fight to the end for big things, we must try to be consistent.

“But I’m sure the team are focused. The team are in a good way. It was so important to believe again and to smile again by winning at Burnley, after the defeat at Manchester City. “We cannot think about second, first, third or top four. I think the most important thing is the next game.”

The central importance of Harry Kane to Spurs’ cause was reinforced by the striker’s hattrick at Burnley that took his tally to 36 goals in the calendar year, matching Alan Shearer’s 22-year-old Premier League record.

The England forward, 24, now has 93 Premier League goals to his name, but Pochettino admits Kane will have to maintain that consist- ency if he is to beat Shearer’s record of 260 Premier League goals.

“The record of Alan is fantastic. He was a fantastic player. Harry is doing so well. But Alan as consistent for more than 10 years,” he said.

“You need to show massive respect for that, because he did some amazing work.

“Now Harry is doing well. We hope that continues, because to have a player like Harry Kane is fantastic. I hope and wish that every season he scores 15 or more than 15.” — AFP