Conte gives Tottenham ‘real advantage’ top four race – Keown

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes Antonio Conte gives Tottenham the edge in the race to finish fourth.

The Italian head coach replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November.

F365 says: Watford stop Salah, but can’t stop Liverpool

His appointment was a massive coup for the north Londoners. Conte guided Inter Milan to the Serie A title last term and won the Premier League in his maiden season in charge of Chelsea.

Spurs have found some form in recent weeks after a stuttery start under the 52-year-old.

They are now three points behind Arsenal in fourth after winning four of their last five Premier League encounters.

And Conte’s presence in the white half of north London gives his side a huge advantage ahead of the Gunners and Manchester United, according to Keown.

“In this feverish top-four fight, Tottenham will feel they have a real advantage over their rivals and that’s because of Antonio Conte and his record,” he wrote in his Daily Mail column.

“In Conte they have a coach who has won titles for every major club he has managed — five in total with Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan — and knows what it takes to qualify for the Champions League.

“Throughout his management career he has been incredibly open with the media. He was honest about Tottenham’s huge inconsistencies as they went from one extreme to the other by beating Manchester City then losing to Burnley.

“But now, they’ve won four of their last five league games and Conte looks fired up for this run-in.”

Keown added: “Looking at their remaining fixtures, Tottenham have the most inviting run-in, although it is surprising that the Premier League have not confirmed a date for the postponed derby with Arsenal from January 16.

How will