Death glory
TOTTENHAM’S swaggering 3-1 victory over Real Madrid proves they deserve to be ranked as genuine contenders for the Champions League title, manager Mauricio Pochettino has claimed.
Pochettino’s side came of age at Wembley yesterday as they delivered a breathtaking display to book their place in the last 16 and hand Madrid their first Champions League group stage defeat in five years.
Dele Alli opened the scoring and bagged a superb second before Christian Eriksen notched Tottenham’s killer third, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s late strike no consolation for the shell-shocked European champions.
“Obviously this sort of win makes us more visible. It’s something everyone around Europe will see,” Pochettino said.
“You’ve seen today Tottenham are a big team. We now belong not only among the best teams in England but also in Europe. Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic to title rivals United raised more than a few eyebrows and the consequences may be felt on Sunday.
Matic left the London club after three and a half years to re-join former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford and has played every minute in the League for the Red Devils.
Mourinho’s capture of Matic is looking shrewder every week, prompting former United defender Phil Neville to say that selling the Serb was the main reason why Chelsea are struggling defensively this season.
His absence from Chelsea’s midfield will be highlighted further should Kante fail a late fitness test..
United’s main striker Romelu Lukaku has gone six games without a goal, however, and Mourinho must decide whether to play Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial together in the hope their raw speed and
“This is preparing us very well to achieve our goals. We want to win big competitions.
“If we get there this year remains to be seen but we are moving in the right direction.”
Pochettino demurred when asked if it was the best result of his career, but the pride was clear to see on his face.
“It’s important for everyone. It’s a great victory, but honestly I feel happy like when we beat Liverpool or Bournemouth,” he said.
“I feel relaxed, calm. I’m thinking of Crystal Palace on Sunday. We must win.”
After an indifferent start to the season from Alli, this was a welcome return to form for the England midfielder, while Harry Kane and Harry Winks also gave influential displays that suggest Tottenham are ready to break through.
“It was fantastic for Dele. I start to feel he is getting better every day,” Pochettino said.
“We need him at his best to achieve the things we want.” trickery can unsettle the Chelsea rearguard.
Earlier on Sunday, Manchester City bid to extend their record-equalling start to the campaign at home to Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side have looked invincible at times, winning their last eight league games by an aggregate score of 32-5.
However, City have only won one of their last nine matches against Arsenal and will be facing the Gunners after a testing away trip to Napoli, where they won 4-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as Tottenham Hotspur who welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday, will be hoping Arsene Wenger’s men can cause an upset at the Etihad and blow the title race wide open.
A win for Arsenal would also drag them back into contention. They lie fifth, nine points off the pace. – Reuters
In contrast to Tottenham’s unbridled joy, Real boss Zinedine Zidane is facing the first serious test of his coaching credentials as the pressure mounts following his side’s second successive defeat.
Already trailing eight points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona following Sunday’s shock loss at Girona, Madrid were alarmingly lethargic as the club’s long-awaited maiden Wembley appearance quickly turned sour.
“We are going through a bad moment. This is life. You have to accept sometimes that things won’t go your way,” he said.
“The players aren’t happy, They can’t be after a match like this. It’s hard to take.
“What’s important is we know how to change this. We have to stay faithful. After losing two in a row perhaps we are not at an optimum level.
“I’m not worried. We are a team of champions.” – AFP