Matt Doherty has stated goal difference ‘didn’t cross my mind’ as Tottenham moved above Arsenal in the Premier League table on Sunday.
The boyhood Arsenal fan, who scored during Tottenham’s 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle, added that all Spurs were thinking about was ‘getting the game won’, as he told Sky Sports.
Despite Antonio Conte’s side falling 1-0 behind to a Fabian Schar free-kick, a flurry of action towards the end of the first half saw both teams go into the break level.
That’s when Spurs came out all guns blazing and ripped Newcastle to shreds, with Harry Kane dictating play in the middle of the park.
After the game, Doherty, who had to delete tweets about the Gunners when signing for Spurs, was asked by Sky reporter, Geoff Shreeves, about their goal difference compared to Arsenal’s.
“How important was the margin of victory because how conscious were you as a group of players at the amount you scored,” asked Shreeves. “You knew you needed at least a two-goal margin to go above Arsenal because they could be so important those goals.”
Doherty responded: “I think they can be important but it didn’t cross my mind at all really, thinking about the goal difference.
“We were just thinking about getting the game won. Getting it out of sight for them. I think once it went to three, they kind of get deflated. And four and five is the bonus.
“This late on in the season, I think it’s nine games to go or whatever it is. We weren’t quite thinking about goal difference just yet.”
It’s now over to Arsenal to issue their response, but it’s not going to be an easy game against Crystal Palace on Monday night.
A certain Highbury legend in Patrick Vieira stands in their way of victory, as just a point would see the Gunners leapfrog their neighbours into fourth.
Arsenal have the games in hand, but it’s Spurs who will feel that they are leaving their best form till last.
Although, they aren’t the only duo looking at that all-important fourth spot because Manchester United and West Ham also have a healthy chance of doing so.
All the above teams are due to meet one another during these final few months and those head-to-head might just prove to be the difference.
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