English Premier League: Man United out to prolong Spurs' pain

Moyes wary of rivals ahead of clash at White Hart Lane today

LONDON: Seven days on from their 6-0 humiliation at Manchester City last weekend, Tottenham Hotspur face another daunting assignment on Sunday when Manchester United visit White Hart Lane.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas branded the result at the Etihad Stadium ‘extremely embarrassing’ but if his side are to get back on track, they will need to overcome United at home for the first time in 12 years.

The north London club trail Moyes’s side by only a point in the Premier League standings – with United sixth and Tottenham ninth – and the Scot says that they remain dangerous opponents.

“Tottenham are not that far away,” he said. “No matter when you play them, it will always be a hard game. The matches against Manchester United have been good.

“We are both coming off the back of European games as well. The main thing for us is to try and win the game.”

Liverpool’s Mignolet blocks out top-four talk

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet insists his side can make a successful bid to qualify for the Champions League as long as they don’t get carried away by their surprise challenge.

Brendan Rodgers’s side have capitalised on inconsistent starts from both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham to move into second place in the Premier League behind table toppers Arsenal.

However, Mignolet has urged his colleagues to simply focus on the immediate challenges in front of them – starting with a trip to face Hull at the KC Stadium– rather than worrying about what is going on at other clubs.

“For us it’s about making sure everybody stays fit, everybody works hard and we pick up as many points as we can,” said Mignolet.

“We’re doing well in the league and it’s important to try and stay up there and build on our start to the season.”

Mourinho expects response after Chelsea’s Euro flop

Jose Mourinho has warned his Chelsea stars he would not tolerate a repeat of their Champions League flop when the Blues host Southampton on Sunday.

Mourinho was disappointed by his team’s lacklustre effort in a 1-0 defeat against Basel on Tuesday and promised changes ahead of an important clash against the Saints, who would move above third-placed Chelsea in the Premier League table with a victory at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho has no intention of panicking just yet, though, and he believes Chelsea are still in a strong position to challenge for silverware on all fronts.

“We are a close distance to Arsenal, we are qualified for the last 16 in the Champions League and we will play the League Cup quarter-final,” said Mourinho.

“We have to improve stability in our game, we have to improve aspects. We also have to improve individually, especially with the younger players.”