Mauricio Pochettino urges Tottenham to build on their stylish victory over Chelsea at beginning of crucial run

Spurs started the biggest week of their season in a perfect way, beating Chelsea 3-1 at Wembley in a game they should have won by far more

Mauricio Pochettino told his Tottenham players to use this evening’s thumping of Chelsea as an “example for the future”, and that if they do so then “all is possible” for them.

Spurs started the biggest week of their season in a perfect way, beating Chelsea 3-1 at Wembley in a game they should have won by far more. Now they host Inter Milan on Wednesday night, needing a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Then they travel to Arsenal on Sunday for the first north London derby of the season.

Speaking in his post-match press conference this evening Pochettino did not want to say that this was Spurs’ best performance of the season, even though most observers believed that it was. But he was thrilled with the application and mental approach of his players, and now he hopes that they maintain it for the rest of the week.

“The attitude and desire, a lot of the time we miss it in many important games,” Pochettino said.

Mauricio Pochettino wants Spurs to build on this win (Getty)

“But to compete in this way, the tactics and system are not important, but the attitude and the will were fantastic. Now the challenge for us is to keep the level of competition. And to use as an example for the future. We have in a few days another final, and then Arsenal. With this attitude, all is possible.”

There have been times this season when Pochettino was not happy with his players’ performances but here he was delighted with how they approached the game. Spurs played with more ambition and desire than they have shown all year, especially against a top opponent. Pochettino wants this to continue.

“One thing we need to realise is that with attitude we can compete in this level,” he said. “When we struggle to show the real quality, we show a lack of aggressivity, will or attitude, and in that moment it is difficult to perform in the way that we performed today.”

Pochettino pointed to the example of Juan Foyth, who has come from nowhere to be one of Spurs’ best performers this month, to show that the whole squad are important and that Spurs are not just about their big names. “The confidence we have in him and the trust, that is why we put him in to play,” Pochettino said.

“And I think that today is about confirming a bit that it is not about the names on the pitch, it is about the right attitude. When you have 24, 25 playres, to tlak about names is unfair. It is the same with fans or people who have a predilection for some player. We need to assess and look after all players. We spend 12 hours every day with them.”