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Jose Mourinho not looking at the Premier League table after Tottenham boost top four hopes

<p>Mourinho: “I don’t want to look too much to the table”</p> (Getty Images)

Mourinho: “I don’t want to look too much to the table”

(Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho insists he is not playing attention to the Premier League table for now despite Tottenham’s growing hopes of a top-four finish.

After falling to a 2-1 defeat at West Ham on 21 February to seemingly end their top four hopes, Spurs have won their last two League games and seen rivals also drop key points in the race for Champions League qualification.

While Spurs’ 1-0 win victory at Fulham on Thursday night saw them remain eighth in the table, Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Liverpool soon after saw the race for the top four tighten.

Spurs sit five points off fourth-placed Chelsea, but with a game in hand over their London rivals, a strong run would put Mourinho’s side in with a strong chance of reaching the Champions League next season.

But when asked whether Spurs are now in the mix for the top four, Mourinho replied: “I don't want to look at the table.

“I want to win matches and especially for us, a team in two competitions, the next match is Premier League but then the next one is Europa League.

“I don't want to look too much to the table, I don't want to see anything good or bad about that.

“I just want to try to win matches and that's what we did today and of course another one is coming fast on Sunday.

“We go again and we try again.”

Spurs fought hard for their win at Craven Cottage with Tosin Adarabioyo’s own goal enough for three points - though Mourinho’s side were a tad fortunate to see Josh Maja’s second-half effort ruled out by VAR for a handball by Mario Lemina.

Fulham were denied by VARGetty Images
Fulham were denied by VARGetty Images

Mourinho said of the result: “Yeah, important win. Of course we need points and of course three [are] better than one. I believe that we really showed from the first minute that we were coming for that. The first half was a good half for us.

“Second half was harder. They put some pressure on us but I believe that when we made the changes we brought a new energy and dynamic into the team. We brought the danger to the other side.

Spurs secured three valuable pointsTottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
Spurs secured three valuable pointsTottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

“Even being a solid block to defend we were the team with the best chances to score in the last ten minutes.

“There was [Erik] Lamela dribbling the ball, Harry [Kane] face to face with [Alphonse] Areola and we took good control of the game in the last 10-15 minutes; the control that we lost in the 15-20 in the middle of the second half but in the end of course three points for us and very important.”