adminTottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino says his team are more focused on getting into the Premier League’s top four than chasing down leaders Chelsea.
Tottenham, in fifth, are a point behind fourth-placed Arsenal and 10 adrift Chelsea after 18 games going into tomorrow’s match against 10th-placed Watford.
“For us the most important game is Watford to try and reduce the gap on the top four. We need to be focused on Watford that’s the most important thing for us,” Pochettino told reporters yesterday.
“Chelsea are a long way ahead. It will be tough for all the contenders. They have a good gap to second and 10 points to us but we’ll fight to reduce the gap.”
Pochettino’s comments came shortly after his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger said the league title was “Chelsea’s to lose”.
Spurs host Chelsea on Wednesday.
“It’s only half the season gone, there is a long way ahead and we’ll have a good opportunity when we play them but first we must beat Watford,” Pochettino said.
Defender Toby Alderweireld, who missed this week’s 4-1 victory over Southampton due to illness, is set to return to the squad for the trip to Watford.
“Toby Alderweireld picked up a virus the day before Southampton. He has recovered now and we’re hopeful he will be available,” Pochettino said.
Pochettino does not expect any major transfer activity at White Hart Lane in the January window following media reports linking Tottenham with Everton’s Ross Barkley and Real Madrid midfielder Isco.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane believes his side is capable of beating table-topping Chelsea when they lock horns at White Hart Lane next Wednesday.
Spurs recorded a 4-1 victory over Southampton on Wednesday evening to lift themselves three points clear of Manchester United in the Premier League standings, just one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
Their next assignment is a clash with Watford at Vicarage Road on New Year’s Day, but Kane is already looking ahead to next week’s highly-anticipated London derby.
“We are definitely capable of beating Chelsea,” the England international told reporters. “We are not going to think like [losing the match can end our title hopes]. We are here to try to stop that from happening.
“There are six strong teams in the running for the title. We are in the mix and all we can do is win games and see where it takes us.
“We can’t have too many off days. We have put together a good run now. We have won a few in a row and we need to keep winning. Chelsea have won 12 in a row. Hopefully we can put that run to a stop.
“We are focused on Watford first – to get another win there – but it is a big game against Chelsea and we don’t want to fall too far behind them. So whatever happens we have to try to win that game.
“We have to try to win every game and hope Chelsea and the teams above us drop points. We are going to keep fighting and pushing until the very end.”
The last meeting between Spurs and Chelsea ended in a 2-1 victory for Antonio Conte’s men, and Kane admits their rivals were the better team on the day.
However, he is hopeful their home ground advantage will give them the edge next week.
He added: “They had what it takes to beat us on the day. We need to try to change that at home and use our atmosphere at home.
“We have been very good at home this season and we have to try to take that confidence into the game.”
— Sport24.
English Premiership Fixtures
Today
Leicester City v West Ham United, King Power Stadium 17:00
Swansea City v AFC Bournemouth, Liberty Stadium 17:00
Manchester United v Middlesbrough, Old Trafford 17:00
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion, St. Mary’s Stadium 17:00
Chelsea v Stoke City, Stamford Bridge 17:00
Burnley v Sunderland, Turf Moor 17:00
Liverpool v Manchester City, Anfield 19:30
01 January 2017
Watford v Tottenham Hotspur, Vicarage Road Stadium 15:30
Arsenal v Crystal Palace, Emirates Stadium 18:00
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