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Interim manager Cristian Stellini has said that Tottenham Hotspur need to do “much better” in order to control games after conceding a late equaliser at Everton. Spurs had gone 1-0 up through Harry Kane’s penalty 10 minutes after Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure was sent off, but failed to win following Michael Keane’s stunning equaliser in the 90th minute, which came after Spurs substitute Lucas Moura’s dismissal. Stellini said that the team’s personality is something “we have to improve”.
The Italian was taking charge of Tottenham’s first match since manager Antonio Conte left the club by mutual contest last month. Kane struck home a penalty on 68 minutes, shortly after the England captain was pushed in the face by Doucoure, but the visitors were unable to hang on. They struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the game, allowing Keane to salvage a point at the other end of the pitch minutes after Moura’s red card for a poor challenge on the Everton defender.
Stellini commented that “We didn’t lead the game with the ball after the red card. We had the chance to control the game better than we did and you have to do it with the ball. You have one extra player, you have to move the ball side by side but sometimes we were rushing. We were frantic and we have to improve in this aspect. It is a long process, we don’t change in one night.” He added that “We played a good match, started the game well in the first half but against this type of team they are very direct and you have to be strong. With the ball you have to find the right solution. We arrived well around the box but after this you have to find a way to score. The approach and plan was good, but at 1-0 up and with an extra player, you have to be more lucid with the ball.”
When asked if they can finish in a Champions League place again this time, Stellini told BBC Sport: “We are confident because we have a big squad with good players. Now we have a week to prepare for the next match. We are confident, absolutely.” Tottenham have suffered an inconsistent season and will end another campaign without any silverware and another managerial change following Conte’s exit. A point was enough to take them into the Premier League’s top four on goal difference, but they have played two games more than Manchester United in fifth. Last season, Spurs clinched fourth place after a run of one defeat in 11 games at the end of the campaign.
Cristian Stellini has called for Tottenham Hotspur to do better in order to control games after conceding a late equaliser at Everton. The interim manager said that the team’s personality is something “we have to improve”, as they failed to win despite having one extra player on the pitch. He believes that they need to be more composed with the ball and find the right solution when attacking, as well as being stronger defensively.
The Londoners have suffered an inconsistent season and will end another campaign without any silverware and another managerial change following Conte’s exit. However, they are still in contention for a Champions League place and Stellini is confident that they can achieve it due to their strong squad. Last season, Spurs clinched fourth place after a run of one defeat in 11 games at the end of the campaign, and they will be hoping for a similar run of form this time around.