Stoke City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham are the only side yet to lose in 2018 in the Premier League
Mauricio Pochettino says it will be "fantastic" for Tottenham's new stadium to stage Champions League football in its first season after Christian Eriksen's double saw them beat Stoke.
Spurs took a big step towards securing a top-four finish with victory at the relegation-threatened Potters - their sixth successive Premier League win.
The north London side are level on points with third-placed Liverpool and 11 ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, who host West Ham on Sunday.
Spurs, who are using Wembley for home games this season, are due to move to their new ground for 2018-19, and manager Pochettino said: "To have the opportunity to play in the Champions League in the new stadium will be a fantastic achievement.
"For us it would be a massive achievement to finish top four for a third time."
Mauricio Pochettino satisfied by 'solid' Spurs performance
Stoke frustrated their opponents before Eriksen fired Spurs into the lead from inside the penalty area after Dele Alli's pass.
Mame Biram Diouf equalised after a mistake by keeper Hugo Lloris, whose attempted clearance cannoned off the Stoke striker and fell kindly for Diouf to roll the ball into the net.
In an entertaining match, Eriksen scored the winner from a free-kick before Xherdan Shaqiri was denied a late equaliser when his free-kick hit the bar.
Kane claims winner on return to starting line-up
Although Tottenham were far from their best, this was another positive day for Pochettino as Harry Kane returned to the starting line-up after a recovering from a damaged ankle.
The England striker was quiet by his usual standards before claiming he got the faintest of touches to Eriksen's free-kick for the winning goal.
"It was my goal, it flicked off my shoulder and went in," he said after the game.
However, the Premier League tweeted that the goal had been awarded to Eriksen after a review by the league's Match Centre., external
In the end, all that mattered for Pochettino is that his side had secured three more points at a venue where both Arsenal and Manchester United have tripped up this season.
"After his injury, to play 90 minutes today is going to help Harry," added Pochettino.
Another hard luck story for Stoke
For the second successive weekend Stoke produced a battling performance but once again emerged with no reward.
They worked hard at Arsenal before conceding three late goals and this was another hard luck tale to add to the collection.
Paul Lambert's side limited one of the Premier League's form teams to just one serious chance in the first half, Jack Butland producing an excellent save to deny Son Heung-min.
Diouf should have scored two goals before Eriksen broke the deadlock while Shaqiri was frustrated by the bar as Spurs led 2-1.
Stoke had started the day three points from safety. They are now four points from 17th place with five games remaining, including a trip to Liverpool on 28 April.
"Two weeks in a row we come away with nothing," Lambert told BBC Sport.
"The effort and commitment I can not ask more of, we are just not getting the breaks. If they played like that at the beginning of season we would not be in position we are in."
Stoke desperately need a win from somewhere - not another hard luck story.
"I think we have to win at least three games now," added Lambert. "As long as belief and fight is there, we are in with a fighting chance."
Man of the match - Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
Christian Eriksen has scored five goals in his last three appearances. His double against Stoke ensured his side took a big step towards finishing in the top four
Kane or Eriksen? Whose goal was it?
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino: "It doesn't matter if it was Christian or Harry. It's the three points that are the most important for us."
Christian Eriksen: "Harry celebrated like it was his goal so I will have to take his word for it."
Premier League on Twitter: After review, the Premier League Match Centre has awarded Spurs' second goal to Christian Eriksen.
Paul Lambert believes Potters need three wins to survive relegations
Played 200, won 103 - the stats
Mauricio Pochettino took charge of his 200th Premier League game (W103 D53 L44); the first non-European manager to reach the landmark in the competition.
Mame Biram Diouf has scored as many Premier League goals in 2017-18 (6) as he did in his previous two campaigns combined.
Spurs have won more Premier League away games at Stoke than any other team (7).
Christian Eriksen scored a brace against Stoke, taking his tally to 10 Premier League goals this season - his joint-best return in a single campaign (also 10 in 2014-15).
Dele Alli has been directly involved in six goals in his five Premier League appearances against Stoke (four goals, two assists).
Alli has provided more league assists this season than in any other campaign (10).
What's next?
Stoke have nine days to recover before they face fellow strugglers West Ham at London Stadium on Monday, 16 April (20:00 BST). Tottenham entertain Manchester City at Wembley in a fourth-versus-first game next Saturday (19:45 BST).
- Published3 April 2018
- Published29 March 2018
