Mauricio Pochettino: 'It's nothing. It's two games. We have to stay calm. We have to play as a team. If we do, we can achieve something'

Published: 25 August, 2014
by PAUL COWLING at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 4, QPR 0

THERE are no easy games in the Premier League – except, perhaps, for this one as Spurs took top spot with an emphatic 4-0 win. 

QPR boss Harry Redknapp – who was the manager at White Hart Lane for four years – still managed a wave to the home fans after watching his side chase shadows for 90 minutes.

While Rangers looked like a lower-league side overawed in a cup tie, Spurs were highly impressive, managing 66 per cent possession and 18 efforts on goal.

Redknapp paid tribute to his former charges after the match. 

"They were good today," he said. "They have quality, lots of good players, and for the money they've spent, they could pick two teams. 

"They will be up there at the end of the season, for sure."

Spurs fans still clearly idolise Redknapp for taking the team into the Champions League and, on this performance – even one so early in the season – they will genuinely believe that new coach Mauricio Pochettino can do the same.

Pochettino, however, is naturally cautious about being top of the league.

"It's nothing. It's two games. We have to stay calm," said the Argentine. "We have to play as a team. If we do, we can achieve something. But, it's only my first season at Spurs. It's more important to develop a playing style. We'll take things step by step."

Pochettino also said he was focused throughout the full 90 minutes, even when it was obvious the game was going to be a stroll for Spurs.

They raced into a 1-0 lead on 11 minutes when Nacer Chadli chested down a cross from Emmanuel Adebayor before poking a shot past QPR keeper Robert Green. 

Eric Dier, the injury-time match-winner the week before at West Ham, made it 2-0 on 29 minutes when his bullet header went in from an Erik Lamela corner.

Lamela set up Chadli for his second, and Spurs' third, when he whipped in a cross that his team-mate headed in from close range. 

Chadli – who struggled in his first season at the Lane – had his best game in a Spurs shirt and looks like he could finally start justifying the £7million price tag that Spurs paid to Dutch side FC Twente.

With the game already won, Spurs still needed a further goal to top the league on goal difference, and they got it on 64 minutes when Adebayor swept in from close range. 

So Spurs go top, at least until the result comes in from Manchester City's game against Liverpool. 

The reds then come to the Lane next Sunday, and Spurs will be looking to make it three wins out of three. Spurs will also be desperate to avenge the 5-0 hammering that Liverpool inflicted on them in the league match back in December.

SPURS: Lloris, Dier, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose, Capoue, Benteleb (Dembele, 58), Lamela, Chadli (Kane, 67) Eriksen, Adebayor (Soldado, 78)
Subs not used: Friedel, Lennon, Holtby, Davies
Attendance: 36,109