Dele Alli and Harry Kane were on target in the 2-0 derby defeat of Arsenal that guarantees Spurs will finish above their north London rivals for the first time since 1995.
But Pochettino’s sights are set higher and he insists his side can strike a blow against the leaders – who beat Everton 3-0 yesterday – by beating West Ham on Friday night, three days before Chelsea return to action against Middlesbrough.
The Tottenham manager said: “It was a fantastic game and yes, we are in the race for the title.
“We have reduced the gap to Chelsea again. And now we have to be focused because we have on Friday a very important game against West Ham.
“It could be important to close the gap. We’ll see after. We will have the chance to play before and if we are able to win at West Ham…it will be a tough game and a difficult game and if we are able to win we will see what happens.”
Pochettino has succeeded where 12 Tottenham managers have failed before him, and finished above an Arsene Wenger Arsenal side.
He added: “When you play a derby like Tottenham Arsenal, always it is important to win.
“But I have a massive respect for him. I admire him for what he is doing in a club like Arsenal and it is a fantastic job.
“I am so happy but our challenge and our aim is not only to beat Arsenal but also the 19 other teams in the Premier League.”
Wenger admitted the defeat meant his side will now struggle to extend his run of always finishing in the top four.
And the under-fire Frenchman showed signs of increasing tension when he walked out of a post-match television interview mid-question.
Wenger said: “It will be very difficult now to make the top four but we have to fight.
“We have an FA Cup final. We still have a chance to get into the top four. We have to recover and prepare for our next games.
“We couldn’t afford to lose the game today but we didn’t score, we didn’t score at Crystal Palace or West Brom, We have to play more and create more than we did today.”
Asked about the 17-point gap between the two teams, Wenger added: “Look, the points are the points. They do not come from heaven. You earn them on the pitch. That’s it.”
