Soccer

Mauricio Pochettino feels Spurs did not deserve to lose at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea's Gary Cahill (centre left) and Thibaut Courtois (centre right) battle for the ball in the air with Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen (centre) during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. 
Chelsea's Gary Cahill (centre left) and Thibaut Courtois (centre right) battle for the ball in the air with Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen (centre) during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London.  Chelsea's Gary Cahill (centre left) and Thibaut Courtois (centre right) battle for the ball in the air with Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen (centre) during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. 

TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino felt the better team had lost after Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners in the London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Christian Eriksen put the visitors ahead early on with a fine strike, but Pedro's stunning equaliser on the stroke of half-time levelled matters and a rejuvenated Victor Moses won it for the Blues six minutes after the interval.

But Pochettino, speaking to BT Sport 1, believes his side were hard done by.

"I think if we analyse the game, we were better," he said. "(Against) a team that is in very good form, I think we competed very well in the first half. We were unlucky how we conceded the goal. We deserved more, maybe to go in at half-time 2-0 or 3-0, or maybe just 1-0, but never 1-1. But the second half we conceded a goal very, very soon and then I think we fight.

"We need to be quiet. Yes it's disappointing for the result but I think we need to be pleased for the performance and the way we competed because we competed against a very good team and I have nothing (bad) to say about my players.

"If you analyse the game, and you put aside the result at the end, I think we have the possession, we create, we have more attempts than Chelsea and all the attacks are for us. But football is not only stats - it's about being clinical. They scored and for us it was impossible, but it was a very competitive game."

The result extended Chelsea's winning run to seven Premier League games and ended Spurs' unbeaten start to the league season, as well as ensuring their 26-year wait for victory at the Bridge continued.

Moses, who signed for Chelsea in 2012 before being sent out on loan to Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham, was named man of the match and was delighted to be finally showing what he can do.

"I've definitely found a home here - it's my club," he said. "I'm pleased to be playing this season. The manager gave me an opportunity to express myself and I'm relishing it at the moment. I just want to keep on playing football and keep on playing football and enjoying myself whenever I'm out there."

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte stressed it was too early for title talk, despite seeing his side return to the top of the table.

"It's too early," he said. "This league is very tough. Tottenham showed the talent in this league. There are six, seven teams that can win the title. For us it's important to continue in this way."

The Italian had words of praise for his two goalscorers on Saturday, saying: "Victor is a good player. I saw him at the end of the season and I wanted to keep him in the squad. It's the same as with Pedro. He's deserving to play and he's playing fantastic football. For us, it's very important."

He added: "This type of game is very difficult because we played against a very strong team. We played with good intensity.

"Tottenham started the game very well. It's not easy going down 1-0 at home in this type of game. But I'm pleased with the performance, for the dedication. Now it's important to continue to work."