Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admits his side need to improve their consistency if they are to mount a title bid.
A 6-2 thrashing of Everton moved Spurs to within two points of second-placed Manchester City and six behind leaders Liverpool.
It was their seventh Premier League victory in the last eight matches – with only the 4-2 defeat at north London neighbours Arsenal spoiling that run – but Pochettino wants to see that replicated for the second half of the season.
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Their current run of four successive victories equals their best of the campaign and their manager is keen for them to avoid any slip-ups which may interfere with that, starting at home to Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
“Two seasons ago when we were fighting with Leicester we went to the end but the gap was so big (they finished 11 points behind in third)” he said.
“It wasn’t enough. Now we are close but we need to be cautious, go step-by-step, game-by-game.
“We need to be conscious about that, we need to fight a lot, and there is still a long way for work and to be consistent.
“Being involved in four competitions will be tough but are going to try.”
Spurs made ground over most of their rivals over the weekend with City and Chelsea both dropping points.
They have opened up a five-point gap to Chelsea and Arsenal and having overcome the challenge at Everton, where the hosts had previously lost only twice in the league since the turn of the year, Pochettino is confident they can carry that into Boxing Day.
“The mentality was clear and we need to always think about the next game and and try to win every game and to be in the best condition to fight for big things,” he added.
“I think it was a very good performance. I am so pleased and very proud of the performance and energy we showed.
“I am pleased about the result but of course the performance comes first.
“I think we got a very important three points and it was important to start this period of four games in 10 with that type of performance.”
