Evening Standard journalist Dan Kilpatrick has delivered a boost for Tottenham fans, saying that Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to serve a touchline ban for the game against Arsenal on Saturday.
The game has taken on extra significance after two consecutive defeats for Spurs – against Burnley and Chelsea – has seen the gap between third and fourth shrink to just four points.
Pochettino lost his temper after the game on Burnley and erupted at referee Mike Dean, for which he has since apologised.
Kilpatrick revealed on Twitter that “Spurs have until 6pm today to respond to MP’s improper charge for confronting Mike Dean at Burnley. If, as expected, they formally respond this afternoon, there’s unlikely to be enough time for decision before Saturday – so a touchline ban should be avoided for Arsenal.”
#thfc Spurs have until 6pm today to respond to MP’s improper charge for confronting Mike Dean at Burnley. If, as expected, they formally respond this afternoon, there’s unlikely to be enough time for decision before Saturday – so a touchline ban should be avoided for Arsenal.
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) February 28, 2019
OPINION
The outburst against Mike Dean was so out of character from Pochettino that it took everyone by surprise. He’s since apologised but it shows that extent of the pressure on managers in the Premier League. Pochettino was incensed about something – apparently something that Mike Dean said to him – but that’s all water under the bridge now and Tottenham have to focus on getting their season back on track after a terrible week. Having Pochettino in the dugout for the Arsenal clash will be a big boost in what is shaping up to be a very tough north London derby. A win for Spurs should see them cement their third place spot in the league, but another defeat will open everything up and with Chelsea and Man United just outside the top four, that could threaten to blow Tottenham’s season inside out. Beating Arsenal is always satisfying for Tottenham but this time fans know it’s essential. Losing would be unthinkable and, as everyone knows this season, Tottenham don’t do draws.