POCH DIG AT CITY ‘BUYING’ TITLE

TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino believes Manchester City are running away with the title because they spent a fortune on players.

Pochettino’s men face Brighton tonight at Wembley, then travel to the runaway leaders on Saturday.

The Spurs boss, who sold Kyle Walker to the Etihad for £50m in the summer, said: “City are doing so well but we are on time for our project.

“In the last two seasons ® City were behind us and this season they were very consistent in signing, signing, signing and investing, investing, investing.

“This season they are above us but they have improved a lot.

“For us it is so important to finish the new stadium and the facilities at the training ground.

“That will be a massive boost for everyone and afterwards we can try to achieve everything that we want, which is to win trophies.

“We played at White Hart Lane without half of it, without the corner, and there has been the work at the training ground and the hotel. Tottenham is a work in progress.”

Massive

Pochettino admitted the 18-point gap between his team and City was difficult to accept and said: “I feel disappointed as the gap is massive. But in football all can change. If they have a massive gap to win the league, we have to congratulate them.”

Spurs will be favourites against Brighton, despite losing defender Toby Alderweireld until February with a hamstring injury.

Albion boss Chris Hughton said his old club must win a trophy to be considered a great team but hopes to dent their title bid further tonight.

Hughton played 398 games for Spurs and began his coaching career at White Hart Lane.

He won the FA Cup twice and the UEFA Cup, and said Pochettino needs to win silverware if his team is to live up to its promise.

He said: “That has to be their priority now because they have been so close over the last few seasons.

“When you look back on how good a team was, it is generally what they have won.

“I don’t think it will be long now and they have the quality to do so.”