London: Tottenham Hotspur can quickly put their disappointing defeat at West Bromwich Albion behind them by ensuring Champions League qualification with victories in their two remaining matches, midfielder Erik Lamela has said.
Tottenham lost 1-0 at the Hawthorns on Saturday and while they sit fourth in the standings on 71 points, the London club cannot afford to step off the gas just yet as Chelsea are just two points behind them in the race for a top-four place.
Lamela said the loss was a setback but the team needed to respond with home wins over Newcastle United and Leicester City in their final two games.
“We have to win both games, at home especially, to finish the season well, but I think we can do it ... we have to ... because the team deserves it,” the Argentine told Tottenham’s website.
The London club are eager to ensure participation in Europe’s elite club competition next season as they prepare to move to a new stadium and Lamela called on the team to take a maximum six points from the fixtures.
“Always we have to show character, in every game, and the last two games at home, in front of our people, we have to win both to make them happy and also for us,” Lamela said.
West Brom caretaker manager Darren Moore believes the club have captured the hearts of the nation with their ongoing battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Moore took charge of the club last month with West Brom in a dire situation, well adrift at the bottom of the standings following the sacking of manager Alan Pardew.
Former defender Moore has inspired his team to a spirited fightback in his five games in charge, including victories over top-four sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
“I’m really pleased for the club that we’ve captured the hearts of the nation with what we’re doing here,” former West Brom defender Moore told British media.
“People have been coming up to me saying ‘well done’ and I’m talking about neutral supporters as well ... but we just have to keep the focus and get back to work.”
West Brom are still very likely to go down. They are 19th in the table with 31 points and must win their final game at 11th-placed Crystal Palace to have any chance of avoiding the drop.
“All I’m focused on is putting in another hard week’s work, which is what we have done over the last five games ... we’ve had some good results but those results have come from everyone being together and playing a part in it,” Moore said.
“Everyone connected with West Brom has to continue like that because we still have an important game against a good team.”
Tottenham take on 10th-placed Newcastle on Wednesday before completing their campaign against ninth-placed Leicester on Sunday.
