Mauricio Pochettino was pleased to gain a point and a clean sheet from Tottenham's goalless draw against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Both sides hit the crossbar in the first half in a game played at a high tempo but lacking clear-cut opportunities.
Having played out an energy-sapping stalemate against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League in midweek, Pochettino admitted Bournemouth's fast start had his team on the back foot.
"It was a very competitive game," he told Sky Sports. "They were ready to compete and it was tough. We managed the game but it is true if you don't score it is difficult to win.
"They started energetic and aggressive and it was difficult for us. After playing against West Brom and against Leverkusen in the Champions League, it's tough early in the morning, but I think we were better after 15 minutes.
"We had control but didn't create enough chances to score. The effort was good, though, it is always tough after the Champions League.
"We need to be pleased in the end because it's one point more and a clean sheet, but it is true to be a contender we should be winning games like today."
Substitute Moussa Sissoko appeared to elbow Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter in the second half, but Pochettino refused to be drawn on the incident.
"It was difficult to see from my position," he added. "I need to see on the TV if it was different and maybe I change my opinion, but now it's impossible to give a real opinion.
"[Watching] live there was nothing wrong."