Following today’s clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Tottenham Hotspur hosted Arsenal at Wembley Stadium for a 12.30pm kick off on Saturday February 10, with the hosts taking a one nil victory as England striker Harry Kane continued his goalscoring form this season.
Having almost entirely outplayed Arsenal, who put in an incredibly underpar performance on the day, Spurs could’ve been denied victory with Alexandre Lacazette wasting two gilt edged chances late on in the game.
Teams:
Tottenham:
Lloris, Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, Eriksen, Alli (Wanyama 85), Son Heung-min (Lamela 70), Kane.
Substitutes:
Rose, Vorm, Sissoko, Aurier, Lucas Moura.
Arsenal:
Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Wilshere, El Neny (Iwobi 65), Xhaka (Welbeck 86), Ozil, Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan (Lacazette 65).
Substitutes:
Ospina, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Anthony Taylor blew the final whistle, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino explained.
‘First half both teams had good energy but they were so compact it was hard to find the space. We dominated but we did not create much. Second half with the same shape we were much better. We found space and created problems and after 20 minutes it should be 3-0. In football if you don’t kill the game you will concede chances and suffer. I am so happy to win. We have had three massive games against United, Liverpool and Arsenal and seven points is good. Harry Kane is not old fashioned, he is the present and the future. We are so proud that he is in our side.’
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in his comparative interview explained.
‘In the first half we missed three or four opportunities on the counter attack which is difficult to swallow, always the final ball. We contained them to very little. Once they scored you could see we were wobbling and they could have scored more but in the last 10 minutes we should have come back to 1-1. The first goal was key and we conceded it. Kane made the difference, that’s what he’s about. I have seen the replay, it is no foul, just good centre-forward play. We can only look at ourselves. It will be more difficult to finish in the top four but we have to fight for it.’
