Published: 16 January, 2016
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 4, SUNDERLAND 1

SPURS boss Mauricio Pochettino was quick to dampen any talk of a late title challenge today (Saturday) after watching his side smash four past struggling Sunderland.

His team responded to a disappointing defeat against Leicester on Wednesday with a comfortable victory – but the manager refused to be drawn into speculating whether his young team could be considered as having a real chance to win the league. Spurs finished the early kick-off four points off the top but Pochettino was coy about making any brash statements.

“Situations in football can change quickly,” he said.

'We are in a good position in fourth, but it is early to start talking about the title. We need to keep working hard and just look at our next game. Today was a fantastic response.”

Pochettino praised Christian Eriksen, who struck twice in a game that also saw Mousa Dembele and Harry Kane get on to the scoresheet.

“Christian is very important to us,” said Pochettino.

“He is one of the best players here. We need to remember he is only 23 and he needs time and the opportunity to improve – but of course we are very pleased with him today. When you are an offensive player, you want to be scoring.”

Spurs had all of the play in the first half but failed to turn it into a numeric advantage. Instead, Sunderland took a shock lead on 40 when full-back Patrick van Aanholt evaded a challenge by Delle Alli and blasted past Hugo Lloris from close range. Groans from the terraces had not died down when Spurs restored equilibrium. With just another 30 seconds on the clock, Kane had a shot parried away by Sunderland debutante goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The rebound fell for Eriksen and the Dane fired it home.

After the half-time break, Spurs took control and it was no surprise when they got their noses in front. On 59, a Danny Rose effort was stopped again by Pickford – who was not at fault for any of the goals. Man of the match Mousa Dembele retrieved it on the right, cut inside, feinted and then drilled home. The home team's lead lengthened on 67 when Eriksen hit his second with a long-range effort that took a cruel deflection en route, and the fourth came via a Kane penalty after Rose was unceremoniously up-ended as he raced into the box.

Pochettino will rightly continue to dismiss talk of a genuine charge to win the league but, on this form, his team surely must be good for a spot in the Champions League next term.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

THERE was noise this week in the Spurs community as to whether Christian Eriksen was having the influence a player of his ability should do, and whether his recent, less-than-dominating performances were linked to the fact he was often playing on the left.

Today, after 30 minutes, he went into a classic number 10 position behind Harry Kane and ended up with two goals. Perhaps it is time to switch Dele Alli out to a flank and let Eriksen start centrally.

The return of Mousa Dembele after a short break through injury was a very welcome boost after the draw at Everton and the defeat against Leicester. Today fans saw Dembele's three stand-out strengths: upper-body power to hang on to the ball under pressure, close control, and the eye for a pass that ensures possession is kept.

Pochettino said today he had swapped Walker and Davies for Rose and Trippier as he liked to give all the full-backs game time. This philosophy has to also be applied to the attacking midfield positions. As we head into the spring, Pochettino must not be scared to rotate against lesser clubs.

SPURS: Lloris, Rose, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Kane, Lamela, (Onomah, 72) Dier, Trippier, Dembele (Carroll, 78), Alli (Son, 87), Eriksen.
Subs: Vorm, Son, Chadli, Onomah, Wimmer, Carroll, Davies