Mauricio Pochettino: 'This is a good victory against one of the best teams in the world'

Published: 2 January, 2015
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 5, CHELSEA 3

SPURS climbed to fifth in the Premier League on Thursday after hitting league leaders Chelsea for five in a thrilling London derby.

Mauricio Pochettino's charges capped off an unbeaten Christmas period with the 5-3 victory at White Hart Lane. Speaking after the game, the head coach said the win was not just a crucial three points to take them within striking distance of the top four, but would give his side confidence going into 2015.  

He said: “This is a good victory against one of the best teams in the world.

“It is an important psychological win. We are in a process of instilling belief and finding our way – and a victory like today's can only help improve that. We were the better side.”

Chelsea opened the scoring on 17 minutes through Diego Costa after Chelsea broke from a Spurs corner. Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois sent Eden Hazard racing away and the Belgian midfielder struck a post with his shot. Costa was on hand to turn the rebound home.  

It was against the run of play, but typically ruthless of the side that had comprehensively beaten the Lilywhites 3-0 just a month ago.

Spurs looked shellshocked – but if Chelsea thought their hosts would roll over, Harry Kane had other ideas. On 30 minutes, the young forward received the ball on the left, and, as defenders stood off him, he guided a bullet of a shot home from outside the box.

Spurs took the lead on 44 minutes when Danny Rose reacted first to a Nacer Chadli effort that had come off a post, and then a minute later Kane was dumped on the ground after twisting up Blues defender Gary Cahill. Andros Townsend converted the penalty to make it 3-1.  

Spurs expected a second-half onslaught from the visitors but after a few minutes of shadow boxing, the home team extended their lead.  

On 52, Chadli chased the ball down the left-hand channel, before finding Kane. Despite being surrounded by Chelsea defenders, the striker used his strength to hold off challenges and deftly guide a shot past Courtois to give his team a 4-1 lead.  

There was more to come: on 59 minutes, Hazard capitalised on an error by Federico Fazio to pull a goal back, then Spurs replied when substitute Paulinho combined with Kane to tee up Chadli. With two minutes to go, John Terry got on the end of a free-kick to score a consolation.  

As a jubilant Pochettino said afterwards, this was a well deserved win for a team who have bought into his philosophy and are playing with confidence and passion.

SPURS: Lloris, Walker, Rose (Davies, 75), Vertonghen, Townsend, (Paulinho, 66) Kane, Fazio, Chadli, Eriksen, Mason (Dembele, 11), Bentaleb.
Subs: Vorm, Chiriches, Paulinho, Soldado, Dembele, Stambouli, Davies.
Attendance: 35,903

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrrier

When Spurs went a goal down, there was a nervousness in the air that this would be a walk in the park for the league leaders. But Tottenham's young gun Harry Kane plays with no fear, and dragged his side back into it.

Mauricio Pochettino frequently referred to shaping his team's "mental strength" in the Autumn. Yesterday, his side were first in the tackle, used the ball intelligently, and played like they believed they had the right to be on the same pitch as Chelsea.

Tottenham's inability to take a decent corner has been a problem for seasons now. Chelsea's opener came from a backpass of a cross for Courtois to collect and start a break with Tottenham's defence out of position.

Nacer Chadli has blown hot and cold this term – sometimes looking like he has dynamite in his boots, other times drifting through games. Yesterday the Belgian was slick in possession and made the right decisions at crucial moments. His best performance yet.

Jan Vertonghen's commitment has been previously questioned. But in the last few weeks, the Belgian has put his body on the line, fought hard, and given the defence class alongside Fazio's aerial ability. We saw it in spades yesterday.