Pochettino cranks up Chelsea pressure in title race

Mauricio Pochettino cranked up the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea as he sent out a warning ahead of their trip to Manchester United, declaring: "If they fail, we are there".

Tottenham were convincing 4-0 winners over Bournemouth on Saturday to make it seven top-flight victories on the spin for the first time in 50 years.

That resounding result at White Hart Lane – sealed by goals from Mousa Dembele, Son Heung-min, Harry Kane and Vincent Janssen – cut the gap at the summit to four points, with Antonio Conte taking his side to Manchester United on Sunday.

And Spurs boss Pochettino was delighted his men did their bit to keep the title race alive.

"Our job was to get the three points," he said. "Now if they fail we are there.

"The pressure is on Chelsea to win at Old Trafford and [that] will be very tough for them.

"It will be fantastic if [after that game] the gap is still four points.

"Four points is still a lot. They are the favourites and they are on the top. We are fighting for ourselves and to be there and play for the top four.

"For the second consecutive season we are there and it's fantastic for the club."

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe admitted his side were short of their best against Tottenham and warned that the Cherries could still get dragged into a relegation battle.

Without a win in their last four games, Bournemouth were just seven points clear of the drop zone after the defeat and Howe criticised their failure to deal with set-pieces.

He told BBC Sport: "The performance was not great if I'm being honest, which is summed up by the quality of the goals we conceded. We conceded two from corners which was a hammer blow considering they didn't even hit the corner well.

"Overall I am disappointed with our defensive display. Technically, Spurs are a very good team, but the stand-out thing is how hard they work. They limit your possession and we half-anticipated that, but to try and stop them would have left gaps in our defence.

"I don't have too many problems about possession stats – it's the lack of pressure from our end that I want to look at.

"We know in the last five games, we will have to be better. It's my job to make everyone realise it's not over – we aren't safe yet and we have five more games that are winnable."

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed