Premier League: Mauricio Pochettino urges Tottenham to maintain top-four momentum

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham must maintain the momentum gained from the victory over Chelsea if they hope to compete for a place in the top-four.

Spurs are second in the Premier League form table with five wins from their last six matches, and fresh off the back of a memorable 5-3 win over the league leaders.

Pochettino’s side have risen to fifth in the table, just two points off the top-four and three points from Manchester United in third, and the Tottenham boss sees no reason why they cannot continue to improve.

“We have momentum but we need to keep that and increase our performances, and improve every day,” he said ahead of the trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

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“The victory over Chelsea was good for all and gives more belief in our way. Why not keep that level in all games? We are capable of it, but we know it won’t be easy.

“It was more than just one victory. It was important to stop this idea that we cannot beat top sides. The players now feel it is possible and have greater belief in our skill and in our mentality.

“We expect a difficult game against Crystal Palace. We analysed them a few weeks ago but now they have a new manager and new way of playing.”

Spurs have welcomed just one new arrival in January – USA international right-back DeAndre Yedlin, who actually signed for the club last summer.

Sky sources understand Spurs do not intend to have a busy transfer window, with Pochettino echoing that information by stating he does not expect many arrivals nor departures this month.

Sky Sports understands Aaron Lennon is the only Tottenham player, if any, that could leave in January and Pochettino dismissed other reports as rumour.

He said: “We are happy with the squad. I do not think there will be many changes by the end of the window.

“There is a lot of rumour in this period but I do not make any comment about rumours.”