Defeating Cardiff City Was Important For Spurs – Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino has hailed his Tottenham players for dealing with a difficult schedule after a third victory in 10 days.

While Spurs lost 3-1 to Wolves on Saturday, they have won their other three contests over the festive period, most recently beating Cardiff 3-0 with three early goals on Tuesday.

“I’m so happy, very pleased with the performance,” said Pochettino. “I think we started the game well, we were so clinical from the beginning. After 26 minutes to be 3-0 was fantastic for us and then we dominated the game.

“Us and Everton, we were the two teams who suffered the most difficult fixtures in this period [with four games in 10 days] and of course we congratulate the players because the effort was fantastic — and all the staff because they work so hard to provide all the best tools for the players to perform in the best way.

“I think it was so important [to bounce back from the defeat to Wolves]. It’s so important to build another positive run. Of course in football it’s impossible to win every game, but sure we’re going to try to win every single game.

“It was so important for our confidence because in three days we’re going to start another competition, the FA Cup, which is going to be important too. Then we’re going to play the Carabao Cup semifinal against Chelsea.

“I think it was so important to start the new year with a victory, away from home in a very difficult place, against a team like Cardiff who came from beating Leicester.

“They came with massive confidence in the way they played the last game and it was a massive victory for us — three points that makes us believe a little bit more in our possibility to be in a very good position in the table.”

Spurs have now reclaimed second place, moving back between leaders Liverpool and Manchester City, who face each other on Thursday.

“In this country, all the people are going to watch the game, but I will be in a neutral position trying to enjoy the game,” said Pochettino. “I don’t care about the result, I just want to enjoy the spectacle and the game.”