Tottenham’s loss eases Chelsea’s path to title
1-0 Was the margin of West Ham’s victory over EPL title aspirants Hotspurs
london — After Chelsea’s path to the Premier League title was cleared, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was left frustrated, bewildered and hurt.
Without a title since 1961, Tottenham had fought so hard to trim Chelsea’s lead in recent weeks but then squandered the opportunity to slash it to a single point on Friday. A 1-0 loss at West Ham enables Chelsea to secure the trophy before Tottenham even plays again.
The collapse at the Olympic Stadium was so out of character for the current crop of Tottenham players. A team that invigorated the title race with daring, attacking football suddenly ran out of ideas in the London derby. A ninematch winning run — Tottenham’s longest since its last title-winning season in 1960-61 — came to an end meekly to leave the team four points behind Chelsea.
“The right question to ask ourselves is, ‘Are we capable to increase, especially in the moments under pressure all together in a big game, the level?’” Lloris said.
“The way we played football was so excellent (this season), that’s why it’s even more frustrating today (Friday night) because I didn’t recognise Tottenham. So it hurts even more.”
It was only Tottenham’s fourth loss in 35 games this campaign, but the other setbacks came against more illustrious opposition: Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Chelsea has four games remaining — one more than Tottenham — and will capture its second title in three seasons by beating Middlesbrough on Monday and West Bromwich Albion on Friday. Tottenham’s task now is holding on for its highest finish in 54 years in the remaining three games.
“To win a league, to win a trophy, there are key moments,” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “And today was a key moment ... It’s not about always playing well or badly, it’s not about running more or less, it’s about when you must win you win.
“If you want to be a champion there are games you must win. How? I don’t know. Today we missed it a little bit.”
Pochettino’s players were looking lethargic and were punished for their sloppiness in the 65th minute. Aaron Cresswell’s cross wasn’t cleared and Manuel Lanzini given space to pounce to score the only goal. It was the first time Tottenham had trailed in a league game in a month and the damage would have been heavier had Lloris not made a diving save to deny Jonathan Calleri. —