Mauricio Pochettino admits "difficult" week

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 12 May 2017

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino admits that his side have endured a "difficult" week after their slip-up at West Ham United.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that his side have endured a "difficult" week after they gifted Chelsea a virtually-insurmountable advantage in the title race.

A strong end to the campaign had seen Spurs reduce the gap on the long-time league leaders to just four points with a handful of games remaining, but a 1-0 defeat at West Ham United last Friday night all but ended their dreams of being crowned champions.

Chelsea duly took advantage and restored their lead to seven points with a comfortable victory over Middlesbrough on Monday night, meaning that the title will be theirs - without Spurs even kicking another ball - should they defeat West Bromwich Albion tonight.

"We have three games to play, we still feel disappointed from last week and it is difficult to take off this feeling," Pochettino told reporters this afternoon. "We missed a good opportunity to put pressure on Chelsea and to fight nearly to the end. Now it is in their hands to win the Premier League and it is so difficult for us to win.

"Before the game we thought anything was possible, but afterwards it was a big disappointment and it was difficult to lift everyone.

"I will watch [tonight] because I love football, there is no reason for not watching - football is my passion.

"The season so far has been good, but when you don't win you feel disappointed as that is our ambition. It was difficult from Monday to Wednesday at training and it was difficult to be happy but then we have only been focused on Manchester United.

"We are looking forward to playing and the last game at White Hart Lane so there are many reasons to be focused."

Spurs welcome United in their final game at White Hart Lane this Sunday afternoon.