Premier League: Mauricio Pochettino praises Tottenham after 5-3 victory over Chelsea but refuses to get carried away
Friday 2 January 2015 08:32, UK
Mauricio Pochettino refused to get carried away by his Tottenham side’s scintillating 5-3 victory over Chelsea on New Year’s Day.
Harry Kane’s inspired brace and efforts from Danny Rose, Andros Townsend and Nacer Chadli saw Spurs cancel out Diego Costa’s opener, and second-half strikes from Eden Hazard and John Terry at White Hart Lane.
And Pochettino, while praising his side for ending a five-year spell without a victory over their London rivals, reiterated they had only won three points.
“The most important thing today is to congratulate my players. It was a great day for us. There was a great atmosphere out on the pitch, and for our supporters to. It was a great victory,” he said.
The most important thing today is to congratulate my players. It was a great day for us. There was a great atmosphere out on the pitch, and for our supporters to. It was a great victory
"We deserved the victory and we were better than Chelsea. But for me, it's only three points.
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"I think it’s a good victory against Chelsea, who I think are one of the best teams in the world. But this is nothing – in the end it's only three points."
This was just the second time a Jose Mourinho-managed side had conceded five goals and the first time Pochettino had got the better of his Portuguese adversary.
"It was the first time after a lot of games in England and Spain," the former Espanyol and Southampton boss added.
"For me, Mourinho is one of the best – or the best – manager in the world. I am not especially happy for myself, but for the team. It was an important three points for us to believe in our way. Mourinho is my friend but, in the end, it's three points."
Much of the credit for the win will deservedly fall at the feet of Kane, who made it six goals in as many matches.
A senior England call-up appears to be on the cards, but Pochettino does not want too much pressure exerted on the striker too soon.
"We need to be careful with him," Pochettino added. “He's still young, but it's impossible to hide him because of his performances.
"It's not my decision (whether he gets called up). We try to help him improve every day and if the national team manager believes in him and wants to give him the opportunity.”
