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Toby Alderweireld delighted Tottenham back on track in title race after 'very important' win at Crystal Palace

Alderweireld and his team-mates continue to give chase to Chelsea: Getty
Alderweireld and his team-mates continue to give chase to Chelsea: Getty

Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld has labelled his side’s 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night as a “very important” result for the side.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men continue to give chase to league leaders Chelsea and reduced the gap to four points last night after the Blues had pulled seven clear following their comfortable win over Southampton the day before.

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Tottenham had travelled to Selhurst Park in search of a response and, up until Christian Eriksen’s winner, looked to be on course for a disappointing goalless draw.

The Dutchman’s late strike, coming 12 minutes from time, keeps Tottenham’s title hopes alive, however.

“It was very important,” he said after the game. “A difficult away game. We know Crystal Palace have won against big teams - Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. We played in a very adult way. We did not gave them any chances and we know we have the quality and the creativity up front to make the difference."

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When asked what the result meant for the title race, the defender replied: “We want to put pressure on them. They won. Of course we want to catch them but we want to defend the second spot as well. The only thing we can do is try to win our games. We fought as a team and did very well.

Alderweireld believes the pressure is back on for Chelsea (Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)
Alderweireld believes the pressure is back on for Chelsea (Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)

“We try to win our games. We know it [the title race] is going to be difficult but that is all we can do. This was a good response after the FA Cup semi-final.

“We are back in it. We showed character after Saturday and are back on track. That is very important, if you get a setback to respond immediately.”

Tottenham host Arsenal in their next fixture in what looks set to be a highly-charged north London derby, with Spurs on course to finish above their fierce rivals for the first time in more than 20 years.

Alongside Arsenal, Pochettino’s side are still to play Manchester United at home and Leicester away at the King Power Stadium in what will prove to be a defining run-in for Tottenham.

But Alderweireld remains focused on the next game at hand and believes the north London derby will shape up to be a “special day”.

“It is a massive game,” he added. “We are going to try and win at the Lane. It is going to be a special day and it is up to us to get three points.”