Tottenham warned over 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 welcome Southampton to Wembley after a round of weekend matches that strengthened the position of the north London club.
A comfortable 3-0 victory at Burnley moved Spurs up to fifth place, one point behind Liverpool in fourth, as Jurgen 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
We cannot think about another club. We need to keep the momentum, to try to win again, to be consistent Mauricio Pochettino
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.
“I think we need to focus on the challenge of Southampton. 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 hat-trick at Burnley that took his tally to 36 goals in the calendar year, matching Alan Shearer’s 22-year-old Premier League record. —