Eldin: Tigers are survivors
BEN DAVIES is not giving up hope of Tottenham beating Chelsea to the Premier League title.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men showed their fighting spirit to beat Swansea as late goals from Dele Alli, Son Heung-Min and Christian Eriksen saw them keep up the pressure on their London rivals.
Antonio Conte’s Blues lead Spurs by seven points, but lost to relegation strugglers Crystal Palace last weekend.
And they were lucky not to concede a last-gasp equaliser to Manchester City on Wednesday when John Stones fired over from six yards.
Tottenham have won five consecutive league games, and Davies knows they must be ready to take advantage if Chelsea slip up again.
“There’s always a chance of catching Chelsea,” said the Wales defender. “Three points is always our aim in every game we play.
“The manager tells us the same – to pick up three points and move on to the next game.
“If Chelsea do slip up then we have to be on their tails to catch them.
“Every game from now until the end of the season is not going to be easy, but if we can grind out results like we have been doing, then great.”
Pochettino argued last season’s Tottenham side would probably have lost at the Liberty Stadium, having trailed for so long after Wayne Routledge’s strike. Spurs were just five points ELDIN JAKUPOVIC has no doubts Hull can complete a Great Escape and stay in the Premier League.
The Tigers have enjoyed a remarkable renaissance since boss Marco Silva arrived in January, winning seven of eight games on home soil.
Wednesday’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Middlesbrough lifted Silva’s men above Swansea and out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.
Switzerland goalkeeper Jakupovic said: “We believe we can do it and we are going to do it. We played fantastic football from the first minute to the last against Middlesbrough.
“We have to believe – and I think everything will be OK.”
Jakupovic is a popular figure with Hull supporters and is not afraid to show his emotions during games, not least when his team find the net. “That’s my character,” he said. “Sometimes when I see myself on television I think, ‘Why did you do that?’
“I’m laughing about myself but if we score a goal, emotions are there and I have to do something.
“I want to help the team with my crazy character and the players know that. I’m loud in training as well.” For Boro, an immediate return to the Championship beckons after a shambolic defensive display in which Ben Gibson was culpable.
The Boro captain, whose side are now seven points from safety ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Burnley, said: “We didn’t play the way we wanted to or should have. I’ll hold my hands up, I’ve got to do better for some of the goals.
“It was a big blow at Hull, but we have to get on with it quickly.
“It’s a massive game against Burnley now. We won’t stop believing and won’t stop fighting.”