BURNLEY, England (REUTERS) - Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino all but conceded his team's title hopes were over after they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Burnley on Saturday (Feb 23).
"I said, for me this game is going to be key to put pressure on our opponents. If we didn't win, we cannot put pressure and we cannot think now of being a real contender. It is a massive opportunity lost for us," said the Argentine.
Pochettino vented his frustration at referee Mike Dean in a furious confrontation at the end of the game but he said that the blame for the loss lay squarely at his team.
"You want to win for the emotion, you know how important was the game and when you feel so disappointed and upset, you make some mistakes," he said.
"We made some mistakes on the pitch and I made some mistakes afterwards on the pitch. I need to go to the dressing room and drink some water but what happened, happened. We need to see inside ourselves," added the Spurs boss who said he might apologise to the referee.
Pochettino is likely to face an FA charge over his behaviour at the conclusion.
"I think I am going to accept everything that can happen from the FA. The thing happened on the pitch and I hope that it's not going (any) further."
Â
Spurs remain five points behind leaders Manchester City and Liverpool but missed a chance to put some real pressure on the top two.
City face Chelsea in the League Cup final on Sunday and Spurs could have drawn within two points of Pep Guardiola's side while Liverpool face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
But instead of giving Juergen Klopp's side something to worry about ahead of that game, Spurs are left wondering why they are not yet in true contention.
"I think it was a fantastic opportunity for us to be a real contender and to show we are there because we deserve it. What is important to see ourselves and say we need to improve," said Pochettino.
"We need to defend better, we need to play better in possession to improve our quality.
"Never was the game you can say was under control. We create some chances but not enough. In this kind of level, if you want to be a contender you need to come here and show your credentials but it did not happen," he said.
The only positive for Spurs was the return of Harry Kane, who had brought his side level with a 65th minute goal on his return from a six-week injury absence.
Spurs had won all four Premier League games that Kane missed and Pochettino said there was a lesson to be learned.
"That showed the most important is the collective. You can win, you can lose. Harry scored, I am so happy he is back, that is going to help but no one is more important than the team," he said.
Reports on Friday evening suggested this weekend's game with Newcastle will be Jose Mourinho's last as Manchester United manager. Here, Football Paradise takes a look at Mourinho's United reign. Trophies Mourinho became the first United manager ever to mark his debut season at Old Trafford
Soccer: Madrid climb to third with vital win over Sevilla
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic. Thomas ALLNUTT. AFP April 30, 2019, 5:01 PM GMT. Ivan Rakitic says Messi is proving an inspiration for Barcelona ahead of Liverpool semi-final
Messi's Motivation Spurs On Barcelona, Says Rakitic
newsblenda.com/post/football/messis-motivation-spurs-on-barcelona-says-rakitic.html
Rakitic believes Barcelona's home advantage is significant. "I understand he wanted to take a bit of pressure off his players, he wants them to see it as another stadium. All I can say is playing at Camp Nou is a different thing, something special and you have to respect that." Valverde added: "Our fans can be decisive.
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic
Reds back in the big league, says Klopp. Poetry in motion as Sadio Mane evades Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's challenge before netting the opening goal. The Senegalese is now Liverpool's highest
Liverpool star says Klopp wants him, as he knocks back exit talk
How Reds learned from Man City - and what Klopp said after defeat Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now "When you lose games you analyse them more than when you
DUBLIN (REUTERS) - Ireland had an own goal by Joseph Chipolina and an injury-time header by substitute Robbie Brady to thank for a 2-0 win over Gibraltar in their Euro 2020 Group D qualifier on
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Gibraltar: Irish consolidate top spot
Chelsea face the partial closure of Stamford Bridge in the Europa League after Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings over allegations that their travelling supporters engaged in racist chanting during the draw at Vidi last month.
Chelsea face partial stadium closure over alleged racist
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said Eden Hazard is free to leave the club if he wants to but the Italian hopes the forward stays at Stamford Bridge. Hazard has been linked with a move to
Hazard can leave Chelsea if he wants, says Sarri - Reuters
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case Date created : 28/12/2018 - 23:29 FIFPro and UEFA are "very concerned" that the Inter v Napoli match played on despite racist abuse
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case
Pep Guardiola is confident his achievements at Manchester City will not be tarnished by UEFA's investigation into alleged Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches and trusted the club to resolve the
Guardiola trusts Man City to resolve FFP allegations | The
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he would consider leaving the club if they go on to win the Champions League in June. Spurs have hope of causing an upset at the Johan Cruyff Arena
Champions League final: Mauricio Pochettino 'calm' as he
Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City. Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City. They played fantastic football and we made a lot of mistakes. We wanted to
Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City
PORTO (REUTERS) - Porto converted a penalty awarded following a VAR review three minutes from the end of extra time to beat AS Roma 3-1 and reach the Champions League quarter-finals after an epic
Porto go through with extra time VAR penalty - The Huffington
Bournemouth (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Footballer Emiliano Sala's family grieved on Friday after British authorities formally identified his body as the one recovered from the submerged wreckage of a plane that went down in the Channel more than two weeks ago.
Body in Channel wreckage identified as footballer Sala - CNA
0 comments:
Post a Comment