An error, a missed header and not being clinical enough are three things that sealed Tottenham’s fate, as they went on to lose at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Continuing on from what Toby Alderweireld mentioned, about not having enough quality and messing up on the little details, Mauricio Pochettino agreed with his center-back’s assessment.
At the end of the day, Tottenham let the game get away from them in crucial moments.
For that, the Argentine manager described yesterday’s loss as not being clinical enough in their chances. Something that Manchester United were (because of a gifted opportunity). This was the difference in a closely contested match according to the 44-year-old.
“It was a close game, they were more clinical than us in the boxes and it’s for that [reason] we lost the game,” Pochettino said (via Spurs’ official website).
“It’s always the case in football and when you play a team like Manchester United, it’s important to be clinical when you have the opportunities to score.”
“It was a very competitive game, a game that we’re disappointed with the result but not the performance. Now we look forward and try to be ready for Wednesday.”
As is always the case, Mauricio Pochettino is rarely disappointed with his players’ performance. More than anything, the final result tends to trump certain aspects of the game. Like say, game-changing moments.
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For instance, Harry Kane’s turnover in the center-circle was a bad pass yes — it was behind Christian Eriksen — but Pochettino won’t divulge on what exactly happened during that moment when the striker was under pressure.
Instead, he prefers to say that his side must prepare better for a situation like that, the next time it happens. And most likely, Spurs will indeed take better care of the ball, to not allow a goal in transition as easily as they did.
“I’m disappointed in the way we conceded, we need to be ready, better in that situation,” Pochettino explained. “You can see Manchester United are a good team with good players and when they have the possibility to score and to kill the game, they were more clinical than us.”
Had Tottenham protected the ball better, the game could have ended differently.
But that wasn’t the case, unfortunately. In the end, when it comes down to it, as usual, it’s Spurs not being clinical enough to score.
There were some chances to pull level before and after Victor Wanyama’s missed header. Although for Mauricio Pochettino, this loss will go down as an unlucky result more than anything.
Not that he’s wrong, because he does have a point in being unlucky. Harry Kane rarely makes a mistake that costs his team a goal.
The last time it happened would be against Swansea City away last season when he mishit his clearance off of a corner kick, and into the back of his net for an own goal.
“We had some actions that were close to scoring. The most important thing was that we fought until the end of the game, we were unlucky not to achieve a better result.” Mauricio Pochettino said.
Next: Toby Alderweireld: Losing to Man United Will Help Fuel Tottenham
With the final result being the way it is, a loss at Old Trafford for the second consecutive season due to an error, Tottenham must quickly bounce back on short rest.
Hull City who are currently 19th in the league have conceded the most goals this season (32). For a team who has struggled for consistency when it comes to finishing, Spurs should see some goals go in on Wednesday night.