Friday 27 February 2015 16:54, UK
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino says the 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Year's Day can be a key factor in winning the Capital One Cup on Sunday.
Pochettino believes the victory at White Hart Lane could provide his side with the confidence needed to beat Chelsea in the final at Wembley and clinch the club's first trophy since 2008.
"We got this victory against Chelsea on January 1 and it is important for belief," he said. "I think it will be a different game, a final is always different. If you saw the game, our performance was nearly perfect and we played very well.
"We need to repeat the same performance to come close to winning the trophy. In our minds we feel we are always stronger than the opponent - we work hard to provide that feeling to the players and it is a very positive thing for us."
Harry Kane scored twice in that victory and is poised to be recalled to Pochettino's side after being a used substitute as Tottenham dropped out of the Europa League with a defeat at Fiorentina.
And the Argentinian says he is in no doubt over the importance of Sunday's final and, having been eliminated from European competition, having another chance to land a trophy in his first season in north London.
"When you arrive at Tottenham, you know they are a big club," he said. "It is important to always be close to play for a big competition and try to get the trophy - for us it is a very good opportunity.
"It is true there have been many years without a trophy so this is a very good chance to give the club another."
Pochettino is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, having faced one another in La Liga with Mourinho at Real Madrid while Pochettino was in charge of Espanyol.
"We have a very good relationship from Spain," he said. "He is a manager I admire a lot. I think he is one of the best, if not the best, in the world. For me, it is an honour to play a final against him."
