Mauricio Pochettino admits title is two-horse race after Tottenham’s recent stumbles

Spurs’ impressive run of form came to an sudden end with losses to Burnley last weekend and Chelsea in midweek

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that only Liverpool and Manchester City remain in the Premier League title race, after back-to-back defeats left his Tottenham side nine points adrift of Jurgen Klopp’s leaders with 10 games remaining.

Spurs’ impressive run of form came to an sudden end with losses to Burnley last weekend and Chelsea in midweek, and ahead of Saturday’s the north London derby Pochettino conceded that winning the league was now “not a possibility”.

“It was difficult after the Burnley defeat and after Chelsea it’s nearly impossible. We need to win every game and with two opponents above us they need to lose a lot,” Pochettino said.

“Until you finish and mathematically it can be possible, of course you can dream, but to be honest it’s not a possibility. The percentage is not too big.”

Spurs’s attentions have turned to ensuring they finish in the top four, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all closing in after recent results, but the manager insisted his team are still overachieving, giving their financial constraints in comparison with those teams below them.

“The feeling is a bit weird because everyone would’ve signed to be in the position we’re in today. And you’re asking me about Arsenal being only four points behind, and Manchester United and Chelsea behind them,” he added.

“I think we are living in a different reality because with all of the circumstances Tottenham deserve big praise to be in the position we are in at this stage of the season.

“We are disappointed with the last two results but we must keep going and trust in our team.”