Even a club as big as Tottenham Hotspur knows how big a single win can mean, even outside the parameters of a title race.
Spurs finally got over a 28-year Stamford Bridge-sized hump on Sunday, beating Chelsea 3-1 with the help of two Dele Alli goals (and the emotional lift of Harry Kane’s substitute role and early return from injury).
Manager Mauricio Pochettino didn’t hide his glee after the win, which saw the Blues go eight points clear of fifth place Chelsea with seven matches to play.“After 28 years it is important to win here. It’s a happy day for everyone, fans, players. And we feel very proud.
“We tried to change and switch some players at half-time to find better links and positions to move the ball. After the game when you win it looks like a good decision. The players deserve praise because we showed character at 1-0 down. It’s a day to feel very proud.”
Spurs also have an opportunity to truly focus on winning a long-sought trophy with the FA Cup semifinal against Manchester United on April 21. Both teams are fairly set in the Top Four and will surely be sending their top troops onto the Old Trafford pitch.
But Sunday remains about ending Chelsea’s home mastery of Spurs. It was quite a win for Pochettino’s men.