Tottenham 1 West Brom 1: Mauricio Pochettino refuses to concede Premier League title as Leicester close in

The Foxes could secure title with a win at Manchester United on Sunday

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino looks on from the touchline (Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino insisted Tottenham’s title hopes remain alive, despite seeing his team fall seven points behind Leicester City following a 1-1 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion.

Craig Dawson’s second-half header, after the defender had scored an own goal to give Spurs the lead, secured a point for West Brom and left Leicester needing just three points from their remaining three games to be crowned Premier League champions.

But with Leicester travelling to Manchester United on Sunday, 24 hours ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Chelsea – where they have not won a league game since 1990 – Pochettino claimed his players remain alive in the title race.

“It is not over yet,” Pochettino said. “The gap is seven points and there are three games to play, but we know it will be very difficult now.

“The players still believe and will fight, though, and we have to hope that Leicester drop points against United.


 Dele Alli clashes with Claudio Yacob (Getty )
 (Getty)

“It is very frustrating not to win this game. We spent a lot of energy in the first-half to be 1-0 ahead, but we lost some control in the second-half and allowed West Brom the chance to believe.

“They showed belief and they scored, so we need to capitalise on our chances more and use that experience next season.”

If Leicester beat United at Old Trafford this weekend, Tottenham’s hopes of a first title since 1961 will be over.

But forward Harry Kane echoed Pochettino’s insistence that Spurs can still claw their way to the top of the table.

“It has not gone,” Kane said. “We need to keep fighting. We felt we needed to win this game so we are disappointed, but we had enough chances in the first half to put it to bed.

“But we weren't good enough in the second half. We felt we could easily have won the game if we played in the second half like we did the first.

“It is football. All we can do is keep fighting. We have Chelsea next. Hopefully Man United can do us a favour."

Tottenham remain five points clear of Arsenal and Manchester City in second position and Pochettino admits that holding onto that position is the first priority for his players.

“The objective is still there,” Pochettino said. “The gap between us and the other two clubs is five points and it is important that we keep going.

“But my players should be very proud of their achievements and performances this season.”

Tottenham, meanwhile, face an anxious wait to discover whether midfielder Dele Alli faces a three-match ban for violent conduct after being caught on camera punching Albion midfielder Claudio Yacob.

Alli is understood to believe he was provoked by Yacob, but the England player may still be charged by the FA through retrospective action.

Both managers attempted to play down the incident, however.

“I have not seen the incident,” Pochettino said. “Dele is a strong character, but I have not seen the action.”

West Brom manager Tony Pulis added: “I didn’t see a punch and Yacob hasn’t mentioned it, but he wouldn’t. He’s a tough lad, Claudio.”