Mauricio Pochettino "positive" ahead of Manchester City trip

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that his side are targeting a win when they travel to league leaders Manchester City on Saturday evening.

Pep Guardiola's side are unbeaten this season with an 11-point advantage at the top of the table, and last night set a new record of 15 consecutive wins in the Premier League.

Having faltered in November, Spurs have now won three on the bounce in all competitions and go into the encounter at the Etihad fourth in the standings, some 18 points off their rivals.

"I am so positive. I am a positive person. What happens on Saturday, who knows?" Pochettino told Sky Sports News after his side's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley last night. "We go to Manchester to try to win. Football is football. In the last week, we have got three wins, and that is so important for us. We now feel we can stay higher in the table. There is a long way to go in the season and anything can happen.

"We are going to enjoy the game, as it is a fantastic challenge to play Manchester City. They are the best team in England, and one of the best teams in Europe. I am so excited to play in these games. I like to play against these teams, against managers like [Pep] Guardiola."

Spurs have taken just four points from their four games against top-six opposition so far this term.