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Mauricio Pochettino says rivals' support of Leicester was not right

Leicester City players celebrate winning the Premier League title during a training session at Belvoir Drive
Image: Leicester attracted a lot of neutral support during the title run-in

Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham's rivals showed a lack of professionalism by openly supporting Leicester in the title race.

Monday night's 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge ended Spurs' title hopes and came after Chelsea pair Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas both backed Leicester in the run-up to the game.

Comments from Chelsea players were particularly open to criticism given both Spurs and Leicester were still to visit west London, and both Hazard and Fabregas were on the end of heavy tackles as nine visiting players were booked on Monday.

Erik Lamela and Cesc Fabregas were involved in several confrontations
Image: Cesc Fabregas is sent flying by an Erik Lamela tackle at Stamford Bridge

But West Brom boss Tony Pulis also said he would "love to see [Leicester] win it" before his side put a real dent in Spurs' chances by claiming a point at White Hart Lane.

Pochettino, speaking ahead of Saturday's final home game against Southampton, said: "Maybe in the next few meetings of the Premier League, the managers and also the staff, we need to say that in future we must be careful with all these comments in public.

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"In football, our responsibility is to be professional. When you are professional, you do not give your personal opinion.

"If I support Tottenham and we play against some team which fights for the title, or to survive, then I can't give my opinion like a supporter. I need to give my opinion like a professional. It's always dangerous when something happens like that.

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"Maybe in the last few weeks or months, we know the football people maybe don't behave like professionals, we need to be careful."

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A night of high emotions for managers Mauricio Pochettino and Guus Hiddink
Image: Mauricio Pochettino (left) clashes with Guus Hiddink during Spurs' draw at Chelsea

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