Spurs stutter to 1-0 win over Burnley to pile the pressure on Arsenal ahead of tricky Newcastle trip

Tottenham Hotspur kept the pressure on fierce rivals Arsenal with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Burnley on Sunday lunchtime.

The win moves Antonio Conte’s men up to fourth in the tavble and two points above Arsenal, who face a challenging trip to Newcastle United tomorrow night.

It wasn’t all plain sailing though for Tottenham, who looked jaded after sweeping the Gunners 3-0 aside on Tuesday on this turf.

BUT against the Turf Moor outfit it was job done again, even if in stuttering fashion.

Had Burnley nicked an equaliser it would have been merited after producing more than enough after the break and they must feel aggrieved at losing such a key game through a late first-half spot-kick, which even Gunners bossMikel Arteta won’t be too happy about.

Antonio Conte’s Champions League-chasing team peppered Burnley’s goal from the first minute until the opener and were deservedly ahead when Kane nonchalantly dispatched his spot-kick.

But for all their possession, effort and application they didn’t fashion sufficient gilt-edged goalscoring opportunities.

Son Heung-Min tried to catch Pope out inside 11 minutes from an acute position but the England back-up goalkeeper got down well to claw the ball off the line.

Kane then had a free header saved by the ex-Charlton Athletic man before Nathan Collins cleared his header off the line.

Not that they had much of a choice apart from sitting the hosts off but the Burnley players, riding their luck a bit, were superbly carrying their manager’s instructions to the letter. And they could even have taken the lead with their first and only chance of a defensive-minded first period.

But the in-space-released Frenchman Maxwell Cornet smashed his shot straight at Hugo Lloris just short of the half-hour mark.

Seconds earlier Tottenham’s no10 had unconventionally drilled Lucas’ cutback wide, adding to the fans’ tension.

It was only a matter of time though before the energy-sapping first-half produced a goal.

And they got the all-important breakthrough goal on the stroke of half-time.

Match official Kevin Friend reviewed the pitchside monitor and decided to point to the spot after Ashley Barnes handled the ball in the area.

Kane kept his composure from 12 yards to slot the ball into the corner with power and precision, leaving Nick Pope rooted to his spot.

However Burnley, who could slip back into the relegation zone if Leeds get the job done against Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road today, were not resigned to their fate.

If anyone expected more of the same from the visitors they were left disappointed. Because if they were too passive before the break, the Lancashire outfit opened up and started to ask a number of questions of Tottenham’s bored backline. And they did just that, pushing Conte’s men hard.

Kevin Long tried to glance a header into the far corner when the second-half was just two minutes old.

And luck wasn’t on Burnley’s side again when Ashley Barnes’ thunderous long-range effort glanced off the post.

And Pope kept his side in the game with a crucial point-blank range stop from Son’s first-time strike after the hour-mark.

The hosts saw out the 1-0 lead to turn the screw on Arsenal who have no choice but to take maximum points at St James’ Park in little over 24 hours to keep their Champions League dreams intact.

If they don’t do so, Conte only needs three points at Norwich on Sunday to guide Tottenham to the Champions League at the first-time of asking. Against the odds and probably even ahead of schedule.

Today’s result undoubtedly plays into the hands of Leeds and Everton. But nothing has been decided yet, up and down the table. Whatever the outcome on Tyneside tomorrow.