Are Tottenham in the Premier League title race with Liverpool and Manchester City? Mauricio Pochettino thinks so

Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham Hotspur will be in the Premier League title race by the end of April if they continue playing as they did in their demolition of Everton.

Spurs struck six past Everton away from home — conceding two in what added up to the highest scoring top-flight match of the season so far — to move within two points of second-place Manchester City and six from Liverpool at the top.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool must play Arsenal and Manchester City in two of their next three games over the festive period, while Pep Guardiola’s side are away to Leicester City and Southampton, rejuvenated under a new manager, before that top table meeting. Yet Spurs have the easiest run upcoming, hosting Bournemouth and Wolves before playing Cardiff away.

‘Belief’

“There is still the belief that Liverpool and Manchester City are the real contenders to win the Premier League,” Pochettino said. “It’s still so early to say if we really will be contenders or not. Football is about being consistent. If we play the way we did today, yes we arrive to the end of April as contenders. But there’s still a long way to go.”

As things stand in the Premier League:

Striker Harry Kane, who scored twice, added: “Everybody is talking about Liverpool and Man City, we’re just doing well like we normally do. There is still a long way to go but we’re in a good period. December has been good and we’ve had a great week. It’s important we carry it on.

“Games are going thick and fast but they are games we can definitely win. We just have to have a strong December, January, February, all the way through and see where we are in May.”

Silva furious

Everton manager Marco Silva was furious that referee Paul Tierney ruled out Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header for a push on Davison Sanchez, which would’ve put Everton two ahead.

“I don’t like talking about the referee as it’s not my way, but if we score that it’s 2-0,” Silva said. “I don’t see nothing there and if we scored that second goal the match match would’ve been different for sure.”