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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

Mauricio Pochettino admits one big difficulty Tottenham will have against Everton this weekend

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted his side will have to deal with one particular difficulty against Everton this weekend.

Spurs are riding high after an incredible Champions League comeback against Ajax in midweek saw them qualify for the final of Europe's elite competition at the start of June.

Lucas Moura's hat trick, including a dramatic third in added time, was enough to send the north London side through on away goals - drawing with their Eredivisie opponents 3-3 on aggregate.

However, Tottenham now need to bring themselves down to earth and concentrate on the last Premier League match of the season on Sunday against Everton - and the manager knows that will be tough.

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"We are in a moment, living a dream. It's difficult to be in the reality," Pochettino admitted.

"It's our responsibility to create the atmosphere of competition because Sunday is an important day for us. To be ready is our first priority.

"To finish in the right way, in front of our fans, is the most important thing now. Of course, it was an amazing moment, one of the best we live all together after five years.

Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates victory (Getty Images)

"I know very well it's difficult to stop to think after all we achieved on Wednesday but our responsibility is to be ready. We're in a good position, it's almost but it's not done.

"We need to take the game, be competitive with all energy and to finish in the right way will be a massive boost to prepare for the Champions League final against Liverpool in Madrid."

Pochettino also had a lot of praise for Marco Silva's side thanks to their recent run of form.

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The Blues have beaten Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks at Goodison Park - but are looking to continue that strong form against top six sides away from home for the first time this term.

And the Spurs manager is acutely aware of the danger the Blues will possess.

Gylfi Sigurdsson celebrates his goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park (Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

Pochettino added: "Everton has great momentum, very competitive and they finish the season very well.

"They have very good players and it's normal that they're going to come here to compete. They had a clear week to prepare. We cannot be distracted, we need to be focused on our game."

Spurs will be without suspended pair Heung-Min Son and Juan Foyth this weekend after an appeal against the former's red card against Bournemouth was rejected by the FA.

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