Antonio Conte has told BBC Sport he instantly shifted the focus in the Tottenham Hotspur dressing room to facing Manchester United after beating Everton 5-0 on Monday night.
Spurs ran riot to run out commanding victors over Frank Lampard’s relegation-threatened side. An own goal from Michael Keane broke the deadlock in north London, before Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane (twice) and Sergio Reguilon stretched the margin in fine fashion.
The result keeps Tottenham in the mix for Champions League qualification after a difficult run for Conte’s men. Spurs had lost three of their previous five games, including defeats to Southampton and Burnley, despite beating leaders Manchester City 3-2 away at the Etihad.
Tottenham now sit seventh after thrashing Everton and strengthening concerns over their top-flight status. But Spurs still have two games in hand over Manchester United and West Ham in fifth and sixth. Arsenal in fourth are also three-points ahead with a game in hand.
Conte can further fortify Tottenham’s top-four bid on Saturday when they visit Manchester United at Old Trafford. A win on the road to Ralf Rangnick’s side would put Spurs above the Red Devils and still have two games in hand, with 11 matches also still to play this season.
Conte told Tottenham squad ‘from tomorrow’ after 5-0 win as focus shift instant
Conte instantly moved the focus in the Tottenham dressing room from thrashing Everton to facing Manchester United on Saturday. Spurs have only won two of their last seven Premier League meetings with the Red Devils. But both wins did come at Old Trafford.
Conte told his players straight away after beating Everton on Monday that the focus must turn to Manchester United. He also emphasised that Spurs cannot afford to suffer further inconsistency issues after their recent fluctuation of positive and poor top-flight results.
“A good night. But I always say to my players ‘from tomorrow’ we need to prepare for the game against United,” Conte said. “I want an important answer in an important game to confirm what I think that this team is improving. Now, this [Everton result] is the past.
“Harry Kane played an amazing game, like the other players. It is important to confirm on Saturday what we showed, otherwise we start again to have up and down. A big challenge against an important team, who are fighting for a place in the Champions League.”
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