Bittersweet win for Spurs as they extend winning run with victory over Burnley but lose Winks and Wanyama to injury

Chelsea were still trying to force an equaliser in the capital long after Tottenham had won here. They could not, that news greeted by an unmistakable roar of a set of supporters who truly believe this title race is still on. The gap is now seven points, with the leaders facing Manchester City in midweek. And this result, secured by the masterful Eric Dier and Heung-Min Son, was a definite triumph for Mauricio Pochettino. He made a point at half-time, with this still goalless and Tottenham lacking incision, by brooding inside the away dugout, contemplating a pair of troubling injuries and a uncharacteristically limp display.
Pochettino had seen Harry Winks and Victor Wanyama exit stage left. He had seen Dele Alli miss unfathomably. He was seeing an opportunity to nibble at Chelsea slip away. For over five minutes he ranted at trusty assistant Jesus Perez.
They ditched the back three. Dier moved into midfield. After a short sermon, the players were left to sort themselves out. By coming out early, Pochettino effectively handed over responsibility.
‘Because of the many accidents and our mind was to change the system, when we arrived in the changing room we had a meeting, explained the way we should play in the second half,’ Pochettino explained.

He made a point at half-time, with this still goalless and Tottenham lacking incision, by brooding inside the away dugout, contemplating a pair of troubling injuries and a uncharacteristically limp display.

Pochettino had seen Harry Winks and Victor Wanyama exit stage left. He had seen Dele Alli miss unfathomably. He was seeing an opportunity to nibble at Chelsea slip away. For over five minutes he ranted at trusty assistant Jesus Perez.

They ditched the back three. Dier moved into midfield. After a short sermon, the players were left to sort themselves out. By coming out early, Pochettino effectively handed over responsibility.

‘Because of the many accidents and our mind was to change the system, when we arrived in the changing room we had a meeting, explained the way we should play in the second half,’ Pochettino explained.

Moments before, Wanyama departed with a back issue following a robust Ashley Barnes challenge. ‘They are very physical,’ Pochettino added with a large helping of understatement.

‘Maybe the performance wasn’t brilliant but it was very professional in a very difficult place. Here in Burnley, many teams struggled to get good results.

‘It was difficult to play the way we normally play. We dominated the game, we created chances and we deserved the three points.

‘I’m very proud of the effort. It’s always difficult the first game after the international break. It’s massive for us to still believe. We showed great belief, character and faith and that made me proud.’

Alli had spurned their only real chance before the tweaks. He will not want to watch it back, Tom Heaton’s goal gaping after Burnley’s No 1 could only parry into his England team-mate’s path from Christian Eriksen’s shot.

Nine yards out, only Ward was anywhere near Alli when the ball dropped but on trying to hit the roof of the net, he ballooned the shot over Heaton’s bar. Luckily for Alli, Spurs were more thorough thereafter and Dier ran this game, passing, probing, keeping the visitors ticking over.

The maligned Vincent Janssen - deputising for the absent Harry Kane and still with just one leagiue goal - saw Heaton block an effort before substitute Moussa Sissoko could not follow in. And the Dutchman’s persistence presented an opportunity for Sissoko shortly after but he hammered wide.

The Burnley door was ajar, however, and eventually opened at a 66th-minute corner. Jeff Hendrick was the culprit, scuffing his clearance from Eriksen’s tame ball in, and Dier stood still, just yards out.

So calm, he sussed his options. There was a gap to Scott Arfield’s left at the far post. A touch, a sidefoot, a goal.

‘Spurs are decent, without a shadow of a doubt,’ Sean Dyche said. ‘I thought the goal changed the whole feeling of the game.

‘They looked more assured after the goal. We were disappointed and rightly so, because it was a poor one to give away. They needed that to give them a lift. Before that there wasn’t a lot in it.’

Burnley could not rouse themselves - even with Sam Vokes thrown on for aerial bombardment. Michael Keane blazed their best chance over the top.

Then came the killer with 13 minutes remaining, Alli whipping a cross to Son - alone at the back post - to tap in the second. That is where Tottenham lie and, for today at least, Chelsea will beware.