Antonio Conte: ‘High four is like winning title for Tottenham Hotspur’

Tottenham Hotspur supervisor Antonio Conte has claimed that ending within the high four can be akin to winning the Premier League title for his aspect following their 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

On the again of a depressing week on and off the sector, the Lilywhites made a much-needed return to winning methods at dwelling to the Difficult Bushes on Saturday afternoon.

Harry Kane netted his nineteenth and twentieth targets of the season earlier than Son Heung-min added a 3rd for Spurs, though Forest would bag a late comfort by means of Joe Worrall.

With Liverpool falling to a shock 1-0 loss to Bournemouth at lunchtime, Spurs have now opened up a six-point hole in fourth place and are solely three factors behind Manchester United, who’ve two video games in hand.

Regardless of their wholesome buffer within the Champions League spots, Conte instructed the press after the sport that he nonetheless expects a “miracle” to complete within the high four, which might be just like clinching Premier League glory for the silverware-starved Lilywhites.

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“We’ve got to attempt to do our greatest and for certain I repeat for us to complete within the high four is like to win the Premier League. It occurred final season and I spoke about miracle,” soccer.london quotes Conte as saying.

“I proceed to say possibly this season will probably be way more troublesome, way more troublesome as a result of Liverpool is a competitor on this race. Newcastle [United] is a competitor however Newcastle is a unique Newcastle to the previous. They make investments some huge cash they usually have a powerful workforce.

“See Chelsea and what occur and their place, however I do not contemplate Chelsea exterior as a result of Chelsea has the chance to win the final 11 or 12 video games in a row as a result of the squad is actually, actually sturdy. We’ve got to assume to ourselves. Earlier than throughout an interview, they ask me about Liverpool and at present Liverpool misplaced however now we have to assume to ourselves.”

Tottenham had the ball behind the web after simply three minutes in opposition to Forest by means of Richarlison, however the Brazilian’s strike was chalked off for offside as he waits to open his Premier League account for Spurs.

Nevertheless, Kane headed dwelling from Pedro Porro‘s cross earlier than crashing dwelling a penalty after Worrall had discovered Richarlison, who crossed for Son so as to add to Tottenham’s lead within the second half.

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Worrall headed dwelling a late comfort from a nook, and Forest have been additionally awarded a last-minute penalty for Dejan Kulusevski‘s handball, however Andre Ayew‘s effort was stored out by Fraser Forster.

In every week the place he hit out at his lack of recreation time and admitted that his first season in Spurs colors was “shit” – which Conte agreed with – Richarlison repaid the supervisor’s religion in him from the primary whistle, and Conte insisted that he was not “silly” to not choose his finest XI.

“Remember Richarlison began the season rather well and in the beginning of the season after possibly three video games he began to play usually. He performed rather well. He did not rating. He scored solely in Champions League however he was many, many instances within the beginning XI,” Conte added.

“He had different bodily issues however I repeat the coach is not so silly. All of the coaches aren’t so silly to not begin one of the best XI to not win.”

Tottenham return to the street to face Southampton at St Mary’s subsequent Saturday.