Published: 15 January, 2015
by DAN CARRIER

SPURS must learn to kill teams off – or forget about a top four finish, according to boss Mauricio Pochettino. 

The head coach was speaking after watching his side throw away a one-goal lead against Crystal Palace on Saturday – losing 2-1, and ending a run of seven games without defeat. 

Pochettino said: “We have to learn to finish games off. 

“The game wasn’t good, but it was under control. Then they got a penalty, which was the key moment and changed the energy of the game. 

“I’m disappointed. 

“We need to analyse, we need to improve and we need to avoid making the same mistakes again. 

“A lot of long balls came in and I think that in this challenge they wanted it more than us,” he added. “We are disappointed with the result, we lost a good opportunity to stay with the top four.” 

Meanwhile, former Spurs favourite Jermain Defoe is heading back to the Premiership after joining Sunderland, and could make his debut this Saturday when they visit White Hart Lane. 

Fans had hoped Defoe might return to Spurs for a third spell, but the Black Cats signed him in a deal reputedly worth £14million.