Holtby: Title talk not Spurs focus

29 September 2013 16:16

Midfielder Lewis Holtby insists Tottenham are not getting carried away by talk of a title challenge.

Tottenham are second only to Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League after collecting 13 points from their opening six matches.

Chelsea, who began the season as favourites for the league, looked very much the inferior team during a one-sided first half at White Hart Lane on Saturday, but Spurs failed to take their chances and ended up settling for a 1-1 draw following John Terry's equaliser.

Still, the early signs of the post-Gareth Bale era are encouraging for the north London club as the likes of Roberto Soldado, Christian Eriksen and Paulinho have adapted well to their new surroundings.

Such performances have led to suggestions that Spurs have a squad capable of winning their first league championship since 1961, but Holtby insists Tottenham's sights are firmly set on a top-four finish.

"Everyone can dream but our main aim is to get Champions League football," the Tottenham midfielder said.

"I think we've got the quality and the ability in the whole squad to do that, I'm very confident.

"It's a long season and everyone has to be at the top level to reach that."

Eriksen, Andros Townsend and Paulinho all impressed during a fast-paced first half in north London, but it was the introduction of the Tottenham target that got away - Juan Mata - that put Chelsea back in the game.

Tottenham, encouraged by Mata's surprising lack of first-team action this season, made an enquiry for the Spaniard in the last few days of the transfer window, only to be told that he was not for sale.

Source: PA