Mauricio Pochettino praises Spurs players after Champions League qualification

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has praised his players for handling the pressure which comes with trying to secure qualification for the Champions League.

On Wednesday night, a goal from Harry Kane proved enough for Spurs to register a 1-0 win over Newcastle United, a result which ensured that the club will play in European football's premier competition for a third successive year.

With Spurs having spent the season at temporary home Wembley Stadium, Pochettino has described securing another top-four spot in the Premier League standings as "a massive achievement".

The 46-year-old told BBC Sport: "It is a massive achievement to qualify again. I want to congratulate the players. I also want to congratulate all the staff. It is a massive effort, 38 games away from home is a huge effort. Next season it will be fantastic for Tottenham to be playing in a new stadium and in the Champions League.

"The pressure was for us and maybe it was not a great game. But to finish in the top four and maybe top three, we have to be realistic and be thankful to the players for their achievement.

"We play a team that were playing for nothing and so deep and sometimes it is difficult to have patience to play and build and to try to win."

Spurs still need to beat Leicester City on Sunday in order to guarantee third place.