Soccer

Spurs need to beating teams like Bournemouth to challenge for title - Mauricio Pochettino

Tottenham Hotspur's Erik Lamela goes to ground after a challenge by Bournemouth's Charlie Daniels during Saturday's Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium<br />Picture by PA
Tottenham Hotspur's Erik Lamela goes to ground after a challenge by Bournemouth's Charlie Daniels during Saturday's Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium
Picture by PA
Tottenham Hotspur's Erik Lamela goes to ground after a challenge by Bournemouth's Charlie Daniels during Saturday's Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium
Picture by PA

MAURICIO POCHETTINO accepts Tottenham need to take maximum points against mid-table teams such as Bournemouth if they are to mount a Premier League title challenge.

Spurs missed the chance to go top of the table after being held to a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium in Saturday's early kick-off. Winger Erik Lamela struck the woodwork for Pochettino's side in the first-half after Cherries full-back Charlie Daniels had earlier seen his effort turned on to the crossbar by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

"I think it was a very competitive game. They were ready to compete," Spurs boss Pochettino said.

"I think it was tough at the start of the game but then I think we managed the whole game, but it's true that if you don't score it's difficult to win. We fight a lot. I think we need to be pleased in the end because it's one point more, one clean sheet but it's true for us to be contenders we should be winning the games like today. We had control, but we didn't create enough chances to score."

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe felt the draw was more satisfying than last week's 6-1 thrashing of Hull: "I think the 90 minutes today pleased me more," he said.

"I thought we were very good today when you consider who we were playing against, the quality that they have. I think they're an outstanding team and we came into the game wanting to go toe-to-toe with them, we wanted to match them, play with a real high intensity, be brave and see where it got us. Because of our intensity, we stopped their normal rhythm and flow, especially first-half. I think it's a really valuable point for us."

Midfielder Harry Arter felt the result showed how much the Cherries have improved since conceding eight goals in two defeats to Spurs last season: "They're an unbelievable side and they work ever so hard," he said.

"One thing that we had to do today was match it and for a 0-0 it was a great game to watch and that was purely down to both teams working as hard as they could. They haven't lost in the league season and it's easy to see why they haven't but we had a game-plan.

"We played them twice last year and they turned us over quite easily both times, so it's good to see how far we've progressed and we deserved our point today."