Wednesday 18 April 2018 07:40, UK
Mauricio Pochettino denied his six changes had cost Tottenham victory in their 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Pochettino rotated his squad for the visit to the Amex Stadium, with an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United to come on Saturday, but the hosts earned a deserved point to leave Spurs off the pace in the race for second.
The Spurs boss denied those changes had been the cause of his side's inability to win the game, despite dropping points after scoring the opening goal for only the second time this season.
"Today was not because we rotated the team," he said. "Everyone is ready to play but Brighton were very difficult opponents and we need to give credit to them.
"The first half was even and the second half we started really well. We scored and then in the next action we conceded. In the second half we dominated and created chances but not enough to win the game. We are a little bit disappointed with the draw because the intention was to win and get the three points but in the end it was 1-1."
Pochettino was non-committal on the penalty which led to Brighton's equaliser barely two minutes after his side went in front, but equally refused to blame Kevin Friend for penalising Serge Aurier.
"I don't know. For me it's so difficult," he said. "We suffered on Saturday one penalty, now a second consecutive penalty. Yes, disappointed for this situation.
"Only we can get one point. It's so difficult through the TV - for the referee it's even more difficult."
