Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- What: Premier League matchweek 28
- When: Wednesday 27 February
- Where: Stamford Bridge, London
- Kick-off time: 8pm (GMT)
- TV channel: live on BT Sport 1
Mauricio Pochettino admits that if Tottenham are to win the Premier League title it could take the north London club ten years to achieve.
Spurs lost 2-1 against Burnley in the league at the weekend - a match that Pochettino described a “must-win” clash.
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Had they won at Turf Moor Tottenham could have closed the gap on their title rivals, but the defeat has left Pochettino’s side five points behind second-placed Manchester City and six behind league leaders Liverpool.
Tonight Pochettino takes Tottenham to Stamford Bridge for a London derby clash against Chelsea. Speaking ahead of the Premier League fixture he said Spurs must change their mentality.
He told Sky Sports: “If you want to be a real contender, playing well or not, it’s [the game against Burnley] a must-win.
“You need to show you are fighting for big things and I am frustrated because we didn’t show the same energy as Burnley, the same attitude as Burnley, the same ambition as Burnley.
“We have to look at ourselves and maybe assess ourselves in different ways - we are not looking for excuses. It is holding us back and it might take five years’ work, ten years’ work to change that.”
Kepa to start?
While Spurs will look to bounce back after their defeat at Burnley, Chelsea come into tonight’s Premier League fixture having lost the Carabao Cup final on penalties against Man City on Sunday.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted in extra-time of the final and the BBC reports that Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has not decided if the No.1 will start against Tottenham tonight.
Sarri and Kepa, who has been fined a week’s wages, both played down the incident at Wembley. But when asked if the Spanish keeper would face Spurs, Sarri was unsure.
“I have to decide [if he will play], maybe yes, maybe not,” said the Italian manager. “He made a really big mistake. For me it’s finished.
“I spoke with Kepa. Then we spoke altogether, because he said sorry to the technical staff, but it was not enough. Then he said sorry to his team-mates, to the club. I think he made a big mistake, but we need to be [bigger]. We don’t want to kill him.”
Tonight’s clash at Stamford Bridge kicks off at 8pm and is live on BT Sport 1.
Premier League results and fixtures
Results: Tuesday 26 February
- Cardiff City 0 Everton 3
- Huddersfield Town 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
- Leicester City 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
- Newcastle United 2 Burnley 0
Fixtures: Wednesday 27 February
- Arsenal vs. AFC Bournemouth (7.45pm)
- Southampton vs. Fulham (7.45pm)
- Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur (8pm, live on BT Sport 1)
- Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United (8pm)
- Liverpool vs. Watford (8pm)
- Manchester City vs. West Ham United (8pm)
