PATIENCE FINALLY PAYS OFF AS SPURS KEEP UP THE PACE
TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino hailed his side’s ‘very good position’ in the Premier League title race after they left it oh so late to secure victory over Burnley at Wembley.
Second-half substitute Christian Eriksen fired Spurs’ injury-time winner that saw them close to within two points of secondplaced Liverpool.
It helped Spurs avoid what could have been a costly draw, leaving Pochettino relieved but impressed with their current league standing.
‘We are in a very good position; we’re there and that’s the reality, that after 17 games and 39 points we are third,’ said Pochettino.
‘That is a massive achievement for us. We are there now but everything is possible.
‘Look what happened in the Champions League: after three games, only one point and we believed it was possible and in the end we believed and now are in the next stage.
‘There are a lot of things you need to put into consideration but the most important thing is belief and faith in the way you work and, if you give 100 per cent, all can happen.’
Asked if Tottenham’s form will stretch to his side claiming a trophy this term, he added: ‘I don’t want to say that because people will twist my words, but I can tell you all is possible and all can happen. We are going to try for that this season.’
Tottenham ground out the win despite struggling to break down Burnley amid dreadful weather conditions at Wembley.
However, victory proved the 100th Premier League win of Pochettino’s Tottenham reign and he admitted his backroom staff kept that fact from him beforehand, desperate not to jinx the encounter.
‘Jesus (Perez) told me before the game they didn’t want to tell me because it’s a superstition,’ said Pochettino. ‘But now I know. We did not realise, but it’s a fantastic achievement for us.’
Burnley manager Sean Dyche was left to lament a point lost in the dying minutes, but praised his players for almost keeping Spurs out.
‘The players overall probably deserved something from the game,’ said Dyche. ‘They are disappointed more that finally you get done by what is just a lump down the pitch.
‘We came down here with a tactical platform and that’s pleasing from a manager’s point of view, but you still come away with nothing in the end.’