Pages

Labels

Football: Pochettino blames lack of focus for Spurs defeat against Wolves

Football: Pochettino blames lack of focus for Spurs defeat against Wolves

LONDON (AFP) - Mauricio Pochettino said Tottenham played with their hearts rather than their heads as they blew a chance to put pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool with a shock 3-1 home defeat to Wolves on Saturday (Dec 29).
A run of five straight league victories combined with a mini-collapse from Manchester City had left Spurs in second place in the table, six points behind Liverpool going into the weekend matches.
But Tottenham - who had scored 11 goals in their previous two festive fixtures - will be bitterly disappointed they did not make it six wins out of six after Harry Kane put them in front during a first half they dominated.
The second half was a different story as Spurs became increasingly ragged and the visitors were rewarded for their never-say-die attitude with goals from Willy Boly, Raul Jimenez and substitute Helder Costa.
"I think the game was under control in the first half," said Pochettino.
"Maybe it was easier than we expected in the first half to dominate the game and to play so easy. They played so deep, chasing us. We didn't concede one chance.
"But in the second half I think we started to feel maybe the game was over and when you start to feel the game is over it's tough to play in the way you play.

 
"You start to decide in the wrong way, you start to play too many long balls and to play more with your heart than your head. We started to spend a lot of energy.
"It's not enough to play 60, 70 minutes," he added. "You need to play your best for 95 minutes. Like today we dropped energy and focus and in the last 20 minutes we conceded three goals.

SPURS EXERT CONTROL


The first few minutes of the match were scrappy as both teams looked for rhythm but Spurs gradually exerted control, Christian Eriksen and the returning Dele Alli probing for openings around the edge of the box.
Spurs were rewarded for their dominance midway through the first half when the in-form Son Heung-min fed Kane, who marauded forward down the right.
Just before he reached the edge of the Wolves box he checked back onto his left foot and hit an unstoppable shot into the far corner past the despairing Rui Patricio.
But despite their clear superiority, Tottenham were unable to earn vital breathing space and the game remained on a knife-edge as the second half got under way.
The dangerous Adama Traore was substituted by Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo with just over half an hour to go but the visitors were seeing more of the ball and the Spurs fans became increasingly edgy as the game wore on.
Wolves, urged on by a sizeable travelling support, disrupted Tottenham's smooth passing game, denying their creative players time on the ball and they pulled level in the 72nd minute when Boly rose powerfully to head home a corner from substitute Joao Moutinho.
Spurs huffed and puffed but could not recapture their rhythm and Kane was booked for diving but it was Wolves who scored again when Jimenez rolled the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area in the 83rd minute.
They killed the game the game four minutes later after Spurs were caught in possession and Costa was put through and converted easily.
Nuno, whose side climbed to seventh in the table, said he was proud of the character his team showed, first to stay in the match and then to take the game to their illustrious opponents in the second half.
"I think what we had today was two different halves," he said. "In the first half Tottenham had possession of the ball and controlled the game.
"It was important for us to stay in the game... In the second half, we tried to go for the game and play. It was a very good performance."



Welcome to the official Tottenham Hotspur website. Explore the site, discover the latest Spurs news & matches and check out our new stadium.



Size Availability Chart Closeout Shoes Indoor Court Shoes Outdoor Court Shoes Women's Shoes Best Selling Shoes All Shoes Balls Ball Usage Chart A-1 Paddleball & Handballs Ektelon Paddleballs Gearbox Paddleballs Penn Paddle Tennis Balls Pickleballs Platform Tennis Balls All Balls
Basic Equipment Used in Volleyball | Healthy Living



If Gabriel does face an extended spell on the sidelines, Wenger could head into next Sunday's season opener with Liverpool with just new man Rob Holding and Calum Chambers available at centre-back. Arsenal could yet sign a new player to plug the gap in time for the Premier League curtain-raiser or rush Koscielny back earlier than expected.
Koscielny | Up The Arsenal



In his very first season as a professional footballer, the 23-year-old Sports Science graduate from Juntendo University played so well that he was awarded the Player of the Year of the inaugural Singapore Premier League (SPL). The Albirex Niigata midfielder spoke of his ambition to eventually play in the United States, Australia or Canada.



Listen us on Spotify:


Cardiff manager Neil Warnock reveals his pride despite losing 2-1 at Arsenal as the Welsh side return to action for the first time since a plane carrying the club's record signing Emiliano Sala
Warnock hails Cardiff's heart as Bluebirds win again for Sala


Neymar denies raping woman in Paris luxury hotel, dad calls



On March 31, Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1 thanks to a last-minute Toby Alderweireld own goal in a match that see-sawed and swayed violently as both managers made tactical shifts in search of the
Official Liverpool FC Store | Liverpool FC Ball
AD
store.liverpoolfc.com/ball
Report Ad
Browse Our Wide Range Of Exclusive Liverpool FC Souvenirs. Shop Online Now.



Mix - New Kids On The Block - This One's for the Children YouTube New Kids On The Block - If You Go Away - Duration: 3:57. New Kids on the Block 8,109,358 views
52,000 teachers strike in New Zealand - wsws.org


Football: Female staff member of Hougang United charged with



Guardiola dismisses Klopp's claim that Man City have no weaknesses. Pep Guardiola on Friday dismissed Jurgen Klopp's suggestion that Manchester City are a team with no sign of weakness as the
Guardiola dismisses Klopp's claim that Man City have no



MADRID • It may be only five days since Jose Mourinho's sacking by Manchester United, but the Portuguese could be back in management sooner rather than later.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Sacked Mourinho heading back to Madrid? - theworldnews.net



Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Montenegro v England - Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro - March 25, 2019 England's Ross Barkley celebrates scoring their second goal wit
England thrash Montenegro 5-1 after early scare - nst.com.my



The dictionary by Merriam-Webster is America's most trusted online dictionary for English word definitions, meanings, and pronunciation. #wordsmatter
Carlos Queiroz - PersianLeague.Com (Iran Football League)



Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs. Manchester City swept back to the top of the Premier League as Gabriel Jesus but Jurgen Klopp's team can regain top spot if they
Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs

0 comments:

Post a Comment