Mousa Dembele says Tottenham can handle the pressure of the title race as they try to close gap on Chelsea against Middlesbrough

Mousa Dembele insists Tottenham can handle the pressure of the title race as they try to keep pace with leaders Chelsea.

Chelsea’s meeting with third-placed Arsenal on Saturday gives the chance to Tottenham, who face Middlesbrough, to reduce the gap on Antonio Conte’s men or pull away from their north London rivals.

Tottenham challenged for top spot for much of last season, only to fall away in the closing weeks as Leicester won the title for the first time in their history.

If Tottenham find themselves in a similar position this term, Dembele is confident there will be no repeat.

“If we end up in the same situation, maybe we can do something special compared to last year,” Dembele said.

“It is difficult to tell but we have a feeling we can do something, of course.

“Most of us learned from last year. But it is a difficult thing. You need to be in that situation again to see if we have outgrown that.

“But there is a good vibe, a difference to last year.”

Tottenham have lost their sparkle a little since a spectacular 4-0 victory against West Brom at White Hart Lane last month, drawing against Manchester City and Sunderland and leaving it late to beat Wycombe in the FA Cup. But they are still unbeaten in the Premier League since their 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on December 11.

The goalless draw at Sunderland on Tuesday was a missed opportunity for Tottenham to gain ground on Chelsea, who are nine points ahead of Mauricio Pochettino’s second-placed side.