Spurs target top 4 after another loss
LONDON • Mauricio Pochettino has claimed it is now "impossible to fight Manchester City and Liverpool" for the English Premier League title after Tottenham slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday evening.
He was already pessimistic about their "tough" chances in the lead-up and his mood was further darkened as his team failed to show they could "fight for big things" at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs did not muster a single shot on target for the first time in the league under Pochettino, while Chelsea netted from the only chance they had through Pedro and a farcical own goal from Kieran Trippier.
The Argentinian admitted his players now had to turn their focus to the top-four fight as "the competition (had) put us in our place".
He said: "It's a 10-month competition, not just three or four months. We are disappointed now.
"After Burnley, I said it was difficult, and tonight... only they (City and Liverpool) can win the league, we must fight to win games and to be fair."
However, the Spurs boss refused to panic despite his players suffering from jitters with their second successive loss in the league.
If they lose to Arsenal tomorrow, the 10-point gap they had over their north London rivals a week ago will be down to one.
Asked if he was concerned, Pochettino said: "I am not afraid. I have the same feeling as before. We need to enjoy playing football.
"Everyone from the beginning of the season would have signed up to be in that position before playing on Saturday... with the possibility of playing against Arsenal at Wembley with the gap at four points. The pressure is on them (the other top-four contenders), not only us.
"If people are scared now about the top four, that is football. It's a massive business for sure, but we need to enjoy it, playing football."
But while Pochettino attempted to put on a brave front in the face of his team's flagging form, Maurizio Sarri felt the victory could be the springboard for a positive end to what has been a turbulent season.
The Blues manager, who dropped his first-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after his insubordination in last weekend's League Cup final, said the result was "really very important because we are fighting for the top four".
The Italian added: "We hope this is the turning point. Maybe, with this result, we can involve Tottenham in this battle (for the Champions League positions). The gap is very large, seven points, but maybe.
"The problem (with Kepa) wasn't so big as you write. In this job, you are under pressure every day, or if you are lucky, every six weeks.
"Kepa made a big mistake and then paid (for it) with the club. In this match, he has to pay for the team. It was only a message for all the team. Now we stop the question, it is behind us and in the future, Kepa will be with us."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
MADRID, April 2 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid left it late to see off Girona 2-0 at home on Tuesday as strikes from Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann kept up their faint hopes of catching La Liga leaders Barcelona. Captain Godin finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with the help of the Video
Godin, Griezmann keep Atletico in title chase in win over
footballsection.com/2019/04/02/godin-griezmann-keep-atletico-in-title-chase-in-win-over-girona/
3:47 PM ET MADRID, April 2 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid left it late to see off Girona 2-0 at home on Tuesday as strikes from Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann kept up their faint hopes of catching La Liga leaders Barcelona. Captain Godin finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with the help of
Godin, Griezmann keep Atletico in title chase in - espn.com
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian captain Thiago Silva has been granted French citizenship, he announced on Twitter on Friday. The 34-year-old's decision means PSG has an extra space in its squad for a non-EU player. Silva has played 274 games since joining the reigning Ligue 1 champion in 2012 and has 77 caps for Brazil.
PSG captain Thiago Silva receives French citizenship
LONDON: Chelsea were given a fright by Slavia Prague in a 4-3 home win on Thursday (Apr 18) that saw them to a 5-3 aggregate victory and a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Chelsea reach Europa League semi-finals after beating Slavia
Now into its third year in Singapore, the International Champions Cup (ICC) is set for its most exciting edition yet with Serie A heavyweights Juventus and Inter Milan, and English Premier League (EPL) giants Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur confirming their participation yesterday.
Man United, Spurs, Juventus, & Inter To Play Friendlies In S
Striker Olivier Giroud said on Wednesday he has been approached by other clubs to play for them next season, but he added he wanted to extend his stay Chelsea. The Frenchman however pointed out that staying at Stamford Bridge would depend on if manager Maurizio Sarri could offer him regular first
Olivier Giroud demands important role at Chelsea FC next
RAHEEM Sterling's hat-trick in Manchester City's 3-1 win over Watford lifted the champions four points clear at the top of the Premier League after Tottenham Hotspur's challenge faltered again with a 2-1 loss at Southampton on Saturday. Manchester City's Raheem Sterling scores their second
Soccer: Manchester City surge clear through Sterling as Spurs
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho embarrassingly slipped after presenting a symbolic face-off to a match in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on Monday. Videos of the 56-year-old boss falling on a red carpet on the ice rink in Balashikha appeared on social media after the accident.
Jose Mourinho ice hockey fall video, puck drop, Manchester
Students, parents: Racism prevalent at this Michigan school. Dozens of parents, students and others wanted to voice their concerns after they say a student portrayed blackface at Forest Hills
Prada pulls 'blackface' figurines from shelves amid outrage
Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk sink Wolves. Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk sink Wolves Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk
UPDATE 2-Soccer-Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah
NEWCASTLE, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Premier League title suffered a potentially grievous blow as struggling Newcastle United earned a remarkable 2-1 comeback
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle - Reuters
SAO PAULO (REUTERS) - Brazilian soccer great Pele had a successful operation to remove a kidney stone on Saturday (April 13), doctors in Sao Paulo said. Football: Pele recovering well after
Pele recovering well after kidney stone operation - Football
Ronaldo and Messi (442oons Parody) Play all Every 442oons video featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi parodies, Cristaino Arrogantaldo and Lionel Mess-1 2:01
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left disappointed by the performance of his players in their slim win over Watford on Saturday evening. The Red Devils huffed and puffed against Watford but they were still able to get the three points at stake in their bid to secure Champions League football for next season […]
Victor Lindelof missed Man Utd vs Watford after receiving
22 1993, The Times, #64598, UK (en)_djvu.txt
Search the history of over 357 billion web pages on the Internet.
315381 10201276550382602 438502351 n - friendzone.fr
0 comments:
Post a Comment