Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that Tottenham still need to believe in the Premier League title despite the disappointing 1-1 draw against West Brom on Monday night (25 April) has left Spurs seven points away from Leicester City with just three games left. The Argentinian boss, meanwhile, said that he has yet to watch on TV the incident between Dele Alli and Claudio Yacob during the game, with the England youngster appearing to punch the West Brom midfielder in the stomach.
Tottenham took the lead in the first-half of the game, thanks to Craig Dawsons own goal. However, after hitting the post three times, Spurs conceded an equaliser from Dawson himself in the second-half of the game which dented their hopes to win the title.
Pochettino, nevertheless, praised the attitude of his players as he believes that his side deserved all the three points. The draw means that Leicester will clinch the title should they secure victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on 1 May (Sunday) as the Foxes only need three points in the three games remaining to win the Premier League.
Pochettino, however, says that Tottenham are not ready to give up yet and will keep fighting until the very end.
But asked if the title race is now effectively over, Pochettino said, according to The Telegraph: No. There are seven points with three games. Its very difficult, but we need to believe and fight, and hope Leicester drop points and that we beat Chelsea.
Its very disappointing and its hard, but in football you have to capitalise on the experience. We need to use this experience for the rest of the season and the future. We need to kill the game if you want to win the title, but no complaints. We are very proud since the start of the season on how we play and work, its normal we are disappointed.
Meanwhile, Pochettino admits that Alli has a strong character but refused to comment on the incident with Yacob until he had watched it on TV.
I hear some comments, but I have no time to see the action, the boss said. You know sometimes the opponent tries to find him and to provoke him as they know he has a strong character and can maybe Âreact. But I did not see. I dont know what happened. We will see on the TV. Nothing to comment now. Dele has a strong character and if you provoke or wind him up ...