Mauricio Pochettino: 'Busy schedule hindering title hopes'

Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that fatigue was to blame for Tottenham Hotspur's goalless draw with Bournemouth on Saturday, which cost his side the chance to claim top spot in the Premier League.

The Lilywhites were unable to find a way through on a frustrating afternoon at the Vitality Stadium, leaving them fourth in the table and a point adrift of the pacesetters.

Spurs had little preparation time for the early afternoon kickoff on the south coast due to their Champions League commitments in midweek, where they were also held to a stalemate by Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, and Pochettino believes that the busy schedule may already be having an effect on his players.

"Bournemouth pushed us a lot and we felt not fresh from the beginning of the game," he told reporters. "Our start was a bit sloppy and you can feel the team wasn't fresh. After 15 minutes we started to manage the game and it was under control.

"In the second half we were much better than Bournemouth and in the end you must score if you want to win the game. I am very pleased after playing Champions League in Leverkusen and before at West Brom, two very tough games, and to play a third game here, I am very pleased with the effort."

Spurs, who remain the only side unbeaten in the English top flight, are back in action on Tuesday with an EFL Cup tie against Liverpool.