Tottenham Hotspur 2, Swansea City 1: Rotation key to stoking Premier League title bid, says Pochettino
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admits that he will need to juggle his resources if his side are to maintain their Premier League title bid after a late fightback earned maximum points against Swansea yesterday.
Goals inside the final 20 minutes by substitute Nacer Chadli and full-back Danny Rose cancelled out Italian forward Alberto Paloschi’s first-half opener as Spurs took full advantage of Arsenal’s defeat at Manchester United.
Victory moved second-placed Tottenham to within two points of leaders Leicester but three clear of the Gunners, ahead of a potentially pivotal week which sees the White Hart Lane club travel to Upton Park to face West Ham on Wednesday and then host Arsenal on Saturday.
Midfielder Dele Alli could be one of those Pochettino opts to rotate after the teenager received treatment on his ankle during the warm-up before playing the full match, which followed 84 minutes on Thursday in Tottenham’s Europa League victory.
“It’s an exciting moment for us, to keep the level, but some players we need to manage,” said Pochettino. “Some players feel a little bit tired because we’ve come through a very difficult period.
“It’s easier to prepare for the West Ham game after this victory. They [the players] are happy, they smile, it is always a better mood to recover.”
Swansea took a shock lead in the 19th minute when Paloschi, who joined the Swans from Chievo in January, steered a half-volley beyond Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Spurs had a total of 34 shots but found former Arsenal stopper Lukasz Fabianski in belligerent mood as he repeatedly thwarted the home side until Chadli turned home Kyle Walker’s cross-shot on 70 minutes.
Swansea’s defence was breached once more seven minutes later as Christian Eriksen’s corner was cleared as far as Rose on the edge of the penalty area and he took a touch before firing low through Fabianski.