EPL: Pochettino defends Tottenham players after draw with Chelsea

Players clash after a foul during the EPL match between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in London Monday

London: Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino refused to criticise his players after an ill-tempered draw with Chelsea ended their dream of winning the English Premier League (EPL).

Players clash after a foul during the EPL match between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in London Monday

Tottenham players picked up nine yellow cards in the 2-2 draw.

Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son handed Tottenham a 2-0 lead by half-time. But Chelsea struck back in the second half, through Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard to snatch a draw. The result saw Leicester City being confirmed as the new EPL champions.
The game was marred by a series of clashes between the two sets of players.

Mauricio Pochettino

"We were all involved. When you play for a title and play a big team like Chelsea, they want to win and we are the same.

There were emotion. Fighting on the pitch is not a good example for both teams, but it is hard. In football, we all want to win and sometimes happens a situation like tonight. But for me, it is a good lesson for us that we need to take and improve.

It is a fantastic night for us because it shows we are strong in our mentality and that we fight together."

Pochettino refused to criticise his players for their behavior. "I didn't see (Mousa Dembele), but I heard about it. We will see what happens. I need to see the video, we are on the touchlines, it is very difficult to see the situations."