Sat 23 February 2019, 15:58
Tottenham HotspurMauricio Pochettino said we need ‘to blame ourselves’ after a disappointing defeat at Burnley on Saturday.
It was textbook Burnley at Turf Moor - attritional, competitive, organised - and despite racking up almost 70 per cent possession and 17 efforts at goal, we struggled to get into any rhythm and carve out clear-cut chances.
Burnley took the lead via a set-piece after their first serious foray into our half in the second period on 57 minutes when Chris Wood headed home Dwight McNeil’s corner off the underside of the crossbar.
We levelled when Danny Rose took a long throw to the returning Harry Kane, the striker controlled, cut across Ben Mee and slotted into the far corner.
You hoped that would spark a full comeback but victory went to Burnley on 83 minutes as we failed to clear our lines, Johann Berg Gudmundsson broke into the box but scuffed his shot only for Ashley Barnes to turn the ball home at the far post.
“It was tough and we’re disappointed, upset,” said Mauricio. “We know it’s always going to be tough here because of the way they play and if we don’t match that aggression and the way they play, we are going to suffer.
“I thought we controlled the game but it wasn’t enough and we conceded two goals, very disappointing.
“We made some mistakes and we need to blame ourselves. Now we need to think about the next games and it will be tough again, two big games, two derbies against Chelsea and Arsenal and it’s important to lift everyone and to be ready.”
It’s a huge week ahead with a trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday (8pm), the north London derby at Wembley on Saturday (12.30pm) and the Champions League Round of 16, second leg at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday week (5 March, 8pm).
