Pochettino stays hushed on Spurs’ title chances

MAURICIO Pochettino has played down Tottenham’s chances of catching leaders Chelsea and insisted the Blues have too much experience to be affected by pressure.

Spurs’ 2-0 victory at Burnley on Saturday was made all the sweeter as the Premier League pacesetters suffered a shock defeat at home to struggling Crystal Palace.

It means Chelsea’s advantage at the top has been cut to seven points and the gap could be reduced even further given they host Manchester City tomorrow.

Tottenham travel to Swansea the same evening and might even sit one point behind Antonio Conte’s men come Saturday, when they face Watford in the early kick-off ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Manchester United on Sunday.

Pochettino, however, refused to get carried away.

“We reduced the gap by three points but it’s still a big gap, seven is a massive difference,” the Argentine said.

“Chelsea, two and a half years ago they won the Premier League and 80 per cent of the players have experience of how to manage the pressure.

“They can win or lose but it’s not putting pressure or stress on them.”

Chelsea’s players may have more experience but Spurs do have the momentum, having won five games on the bounce and scored 17 goals in that period.

“In football all can happen,” Pochettino said.

“That’s a good reason for all — belief is the most important thing in football — not only quality, running or being strong. Belief, faith and fight. Nothing is impossible in football and that is our idea, our philosophy.

Stephen Thompson