Mauricio Pochettino: Nerves didn't play a part in Tottenham's defeat to West Ham
Mauricio Pochettino has insisted nerves did not play a part in Tottenham's poor performance during tonight's 1-0 defeat to West Ham at Upton Park.
Spurs went into the game with a chance to move to the top of the Premier League table with victory but failed to capitalise on such a glorious opportunity.
The Hammers started brightly and scored through Michail Antonio's near-post header, which Spurs failed to recover from as they suffered their first defeat on the road since the opening day of the season.
Having operated in Leicester's slipstream for the majority of the campaign there was a suggestion that Spurs had stuttered due to the new pressure they were placed under in east London.
But Pochettino dismissed such speculation when he was asked whether nerves contributed to his side's cagey display and laid the blame at the door of mistakes rather than emotion.
"No - I think we made some mistakes. It was difficult. Today we started not so good and conceded the goal," said the Argentine.
"We were poor - we know, our players know and we're very disappointed for that. The pitch doesn't help to try to play the way we want to play.
"It's not easy to play three games in a week. We are on the top and we have come through a very difficult period. Europa League, FA Cup and now Premier League. It's tough.
"It's not to complain - there are no excuses - only that we were poor in the first half."
Spurs will be keen to pick themselves up by Saturday, when they face fierce rivals Arsenal at White Hart Lane, in order to get their title challenge back on track.
ArticlePochettino: Nerves didn't play a part in Spurs defeat to West HamPremier LeagueTottenhamWest HamMauricio Pochettino