Mauricio Pochettino has admitted his players ‘crossed the line’ at Chelsea but he believes the ‘passion’ and ‘character’ on display prove Tottenham are no longer a ‘soft’ touch and have what it takes to fight for the title again next season.
Spurs surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in a disorderly derby at Stamford Bridge on Monday which ended their hopes of winning the Premier League.
Pochettino has spoken to Mousa Dembele who has accepted a charge of violent conduct for scratching at Diego Costa’s eyes, although he will contest the FA’s attempts to impose a ban in excess of the standard three matches.
Tottenham also face a fine for failing to control their players.
Pochettino said: ‘If you play football, even if you play with your friends for the honour or for a beer or food, you want to win. Sometimes when you run a lot and you’re under stress, you can cross the line.
‘If you cross the line, Mousa knows you need to pay, like Dele Alli. This happens in football. We cannot justify it but we can understand it.
‘If you want to win titles and keep your position at the top for a long time in the future you need to show passion. We showed passion. Maybe too much passion. But we need to take it in a positive way. We need to manage it in a better way and try to win the title.
‘I hear that in the past Tottenham were soft, but now we start to show character. We cross the line maybe yes, I’m not stupid. It’s important to manage better our energy for the next season and be sure we learn a lot.
‘This season we showed we are not a nice team to play. Not anymore. Our opponents don’t like to play against us.
‘I am proud of my players. We show big character. Sometimes we cross the line and if you cross the line you need to pay. It’s a good lesson for us that we need to learn a lot for next season and I’m sure we will be stronger next season.’
Nine Spurs players were booked at Chelsea, a Premier League record, and Pochettino was caught up in the scuffling when he went onto the pitch as peacemaker to keep Willian and Danny Rose apart after a clash just before half-time.
‘For me, what happens on the pitch for me should stay on the pitch,’ said the Spurs boss.
‘But we have a lot of cameras and it’s impossible to keep it on the pitch. All the people who play football know this situation can happen.
‘Maybe we agree in theory but it’s difficult to apply when you run and contest the title. It’s difficult to keep calm.
‘People try to calm the situation and behave more aggressive. It is football.’
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