SM
Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid: 18 hrs 8 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Tottenham looking over shoulders at top-four challengers – Hugo Lloris

:Headline: Tottenham looking over shoulders at top-four challengers – Hugo Lloris: ID:346847: from db_amp
Spurs have been considered title challengers after a superb run of fixtures.

Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris accepts his side are now looking over their shoulders at the teams chasing them in the race for the Premier League top four.

Spurs have been considered title challengers after a superb run of fixtures but two defeats in three games – the latest to Manchester United on Sunday – kills any realistic chance of overhauling Liverpool or Manchester City above them.

They are just a point ahead of Chelsea in fourth place while defeat to United means they are only seven points better off than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side and Arsenal.

Despite being touted as possible champions a few weeks ago, the France goalkeeper insists qualifying for the Champions League next season is the main goal.

"We are still involved in four competitions but the main thing is to finish in the top four," he said. "We have said that from the beginning and we have not changed our mind.

"Of course, everyone is talking about the teams in front of us, but it is important to keep an eye on the teams behind because in football things can change very quickly.

"It is important to stay consistent and focus on the main things."

The big games keep coming thick and fast for Spurs as, after next week's visit to Fulham, they take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup second leg, holding a slender 1-0 advantage before an FA Cup trip to Crystal Palace.

Spurs then host Borussia Dortmund in the last-16 first leg on February 13.

"In the League Cup we have an advantage but it is going to be tough at Stamford Bridge even though we are in a good position," Lloris added.

"Then there is the FA Cup and Champions League coming quick so there is not time to think too much, just time to recover and be ready in our minds for fighting."

How much of that crucial period will be played without Harry Kane remains to be seen as Spurs are waiting to scan the striker's ankle injury.

Kane hurt himself in the 1-0 loss to United and boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted he is worried about the extent of the problem, while Lloris insisted Spurs are not a one-man team.

"We all know how important Harry is in our team but he is not all of our team," he said. "Football is about the team and every player is ready to help the team.

Harry Kane suffered an ankle injury in the Premier League defeat to Manchester United (Mike Egerton/PA)

"In football during the season you have ups and downs and you have to always adapt to those and we will see about 'H'.

"But I think everybody is ready and the most important thing is the mind: being ready to fight, being ready to help, being ready to compete.

"It is better when you have all your best players on the field but that can happen here or it can happen at other clubs."

amp_article__346847 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-01-15 09:38:31:
html db last update - 2021-03-07 00:56:39 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Hugo Lloris

Click here for more stories about Tottenham Hotspur

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .