Mauricio Pochettino said after Tottenham Hotspur's win that he can see his side beginning to 'feel freedom in this moment' as they unexpectedly build strength in their Premier League title bid.
Far from fading, Spurs fought back from 1-0 down to Swansea City on Sunday to win 2-1 and take three points to keep pace with leaders Leicester City.
Tottenham are alone in second with Arsenal's slip at Manchester United and can now boast the Premier League's best goal difference, plus-28, but a healthy margin. Spurs manager Pochettino says he sees his side growing into the 'exciting moment', rather than shrinking away.
“It’s easier to prepare for the West Ham game after this victory,” Pochettino said.
“They are happy, they smile, it is always a better mood to recover.
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“It is an exciting moment for us but some players we need to manage because some players feel a little bit tired. We came from a very tough period.”
On Sunday Spurs had 34 shots, 14 of them on target, against Swansea and the relief was palpable when Nacer Chadli finally turned home Kyle Walker’s shot across goal with 20 minutes left.
Pochettino cut a frustrated figure as Lukasz Fabianski continued to defy his players’ assault on the Swansea goal but the Tottenham manager was as pleased as anyone when Chadli and then Danny Rose found the net.
“During the whole game we shot more than 30 times and maybe 15 or 16 on target,” Pochettino said.
“Maybe it was a record for the Premier League. Fabianski was fantastic and it looked like it would be impossible to score.
“For that you get upset, disappointed, frustrated a little bit but when we scored the second goal you feel freedom in this moment.”
Game-winning goalscorer Rose was the first player Pochettino said called when he arrived at Tottenham Hotspur and is delighted the full-back is now repaying his faith.
After substitute Chadli equalised in the 70th minute, seven minutes later Rose drove a loose ball home to keep his team’s title charge on track and secure three points from a match that for a long time looked like it would result in a surprise win for Swansea at White Hart Lane.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed an impressive season under Pochettino but his Spurs future was far from certain when the Argentinian arrived, after the new head coach made fellow left-back Ben Davies one of his first signings in the summer of 2014.
“We arrived 21 months ago and the first meeting I have with a Tottenham player was with him,” Pochettino said.
“They were on holiday and I called him to come to my office. I was happy and pleased to give him the opportunity to stay here and work with us.
“It is true we are very happy with him showing quality and helping the team.
“It was maybe difficult from the beginning when we arrived but I am very happy for him. The crowd were singing his name.
“When any manager arrives at a new club always the player needs to know the idea.
“My idea was from the beginning to give him the chance to show he has enough quality to play for Tottenham.”
Tottenham have overcome their first of three games in six days but the tougher tests are to follow with West Ham and Arsenal to come on Wednesday and Saturday.
Harry Kane played with a face mask against Swansea, despite breaking his nose last weekend, but Dele Alli may need to be assessed after kicking his foot into the ground during the warm-up.
Alli appeared uninhibited as he played the whole 90 minutes but the midfielder was seen hobbling heavily as he left the stadium after the match.
Defeat leaves Swansea 16th, three points above the relegation zone, ahead of Wednesday’s game at Arsenal and coach Alan Curtis was left impressed by Pochettino’s men.
“They’re so difficult to play against, they’re so fluid in their movement,” Curtis said.
“The full-backs bomb on, the centre backs come out with the ball – it’s a tough team to play against.
“Can they win the league? On the strength of that, absolutely. I thought they could anyway, but having seen them close up, absolutely I would say.”
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