Pochettino: Tottenham Felt They Were Playing Against A Small Team

Diego Costa was an unused substitute for Chelsea’s 0-0 draw against Tottenham on Sunday.

“The captain (John Terry) has been on the bench, so have (Branislav) Ivanovic, (Gary) Cahill the vice-captain of England, (Cesc) Fabregas, Pedro, Oscar, (Eden) Hazard, the player of the season”.

“Diego is physically fine, no problems”. “He works well, every day his mood is positive, he is the positive guy in the team”.

“Diego is privileged because he was the last player (to go) on the bench”, said Mourinho after the match. “The way that we played and the maturity that we showed today made me very proud for them”.

“A top player going on the bench they are not happy so for me his behaviour was normal”.

Tottenham started the first half brightly, with Harry Kane forcing an awkward save from Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from a snapshot from the edge of the area following good link-up play with Christian Eriksen.

Spanish giants Madrid are reportedly preparing a £80million bid for Hazard this off-season, with last season’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year gradually regaining his form for the defending champions. “And probably he is having something to eat now while waiting for us on the bus”. “I think the team spirit is back and we are all again on the right track and want to do everything to try and get points back”.

With performances improving and confidence on the rise Mourinho claimed,”I would not be surprised if we don’t lose one of the next 10 games.” a quote that most Chelsea fans will be hoping plays out to be true, as Chelsea fight to gain a top four finish.

Diego Costa is expected to return to the Chelsea starting lineup for the Premier League game against Bournemouth on Saturday despite making his frustrations clear at being dropped to the bench for the draw at Tottenham.

“The game went in the direction we wanted to take, we had a very good period in the first half where we should score, and in the second half we had a couple of chances and one of them is a giant chance. We deserved more. We tried to win it”.

“This is a good thing (that we are disappointed)”, said the Argentine, whose side remain fifth in the table. We are not happy with the result but we are happy with the team.

Chelsea sit 14th in the Premier League following a dismal start to the season, but the Serbian believes they are on the path to improvement.