Tottenham Hotspur beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at White Hart Lane this evening.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told Football.London that he felt Ben Davies was ‘very good’ in tonight’s 1-0 home win over Middlesbrough.
Spurs went into the game having endured a disappointing 0-0 draw with Sunderland in midweek, and they were in action against North East opposition again tonight as Middlesbrough travelled to White Hart Lane.
Aitor Karanka’s men were without a win in six, meaning may expected Spurs to coast past Boro, but the visitors put up stern resistance, with Victor Valdes making a number of saves.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettin
With chances going begging for Spurs, fans would have been forgiven for thinking that it may not have been Tottenham’s night, but the opener did come when Heung-min Son was brought down inside the area, with Harry Kane stepping up to slot home.
More opportunities were missed for Spurs, and they almost paid the price as Alvaro Negredo sent an acrobatic shot flashing past the post before Marten de Roon’s volley went wide, handing Spurs a 1-0 victory.
The result leaves Tottenham nine points behind league leaders Chelsea, but keeps them in second place, three points clear of North London rivals Arsenal.
Middlesbrough’s Adama Traore in action with Tottenham’s Ben Davies
The game saw left back Ben Davies fill in for Danny Rose at left back, and Pochettino told Football.London that he felt Davies was ‘very good’ up against Middlesbrough’s flying winger Adama Traore.
“I think Ben Davies was very good, he played well and full credit to him,” said Pochettino. “Traore is a player who’s very problematic and can put you in a very difficult position,” said Pochettino. “I’m happy with Ben. He had a very good performance today. I’m very pleased for him. You always talk about the squad and how important it is for all the players to be fit.”
Pochettino was also asked about Arsene Wenger’s comments on the title race, after the Arsenal boss conceded that Chelsea – who beat his Gunners side 3-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier today – had virtually won the title already.
Pochettino was quoted by Squawka as saying that there are enough games to play to catch Chelsea, and whilst dropped points away at Manchester City and Sunderland haven’t helped, Spurs remain in the race for the title.
“It is his opinion. For me, there are a lot of games to play. Two draws against Manchester City away and Sunderland away. OK. We are second in the table, OK. It’s good to put the standard higher. I am happy with that,” he added.
What did you think of Tottenham’s display against Middlesbrough?
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