Mauricio Pochettino tells Chelsea that Tottenham are 'ready to fight' for the title after crucial win at Crystal Palace

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Tottenham kept the Premier League title race alive by securing a late 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

Christian Eriksen scored with a low drive in the 78th minute from outside of the area to move Mauricio Pochettino's side back to within four points of leaders Chelsea with five games remaining.

Chelsea now visit Everton on Sunday a few hours before Spurs entertain Arsenal.

Pochettino said: 'It was an amazing goal. I felt free to run down the touchline to celebrate!'

Mauricio Pochettino celebrates Tottenham's victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park

Christian Eriksen's goal settled matters in favour of the visitors on Wednesday night

Pochettino has warned Chelsea that Tottenham are ready to take advantage of any slip-up in the title race.

The Argentine, whose side have now won eight consecutive league games and amassed a club-record tally of 74 points in the Premier League era, said: 'It was a great opportunity to show we are focusing on us, spending energy trying to improve our game and trying to fight with our opponents.

'We are showing that we learned a lot from last season. That is so important because last season was a big challenge. 

Eriksen's 30-yard strike means Tottenham are four points behind title favourites Chelsea

'Last season the team were fantastic, playing well, and it was a massive challenge to improve. 

'But we have improved a lot this season and one area that was key for us to improve was in our mental attitude.

'The team are now showing we are ready. We are ready this season to fight and, next season, we'll be even better.'

Victory over Arsenal in Sunday's north London derby would seal a finish above their arch rivals for the first time in 22 years.

But Pochettino played down the significance of Sunday's game at White Hart Lane, saying: 'It's not a motivation or a distraction.

'Our challenge now is to try and reduce the gap to Chelsea again and think about bigger things than only to be above Arsenal.

'For one day, to win big trophies and achieve big things, your mentality must be bigger. You must think about bigger dreams. Big dreams. It's important to have them.'

Eriksen slides on his knees in celebration after netting in the 78th minute 

Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce fears Palace central defender Mamadou Sakho will miss the rest of the season.

The Frenchman, on loan from Liverpool, got his studs caught in the turf during the second half and was eventually taken off on a stretcher while wearing a knee brace.

'It's a ligament injury, which ligament we don't know,' said Allardyce, who is also without injured centre backs Scott Dann and James Tomkins.

'We hope it's not the cruciate. It could be medial or lateral, but certainly a hyperextension. We will see after a scan.'

Pochettino has told Chelsea that his Spurs team is ready to fight for the title