Conte insists Spurs must improve despite providing "answer" in Leeds hammering

Antonio Conte was pleased with his Tottenham Hotspur team's response to their midweek loss at Burnley, but insisted his team still needs to improve.

Spurs raced into a 3-0 lead away to Leeds United, with Matt Doherty, Dejan Kulusevski and Harry Kane all finding the net before half-time, and Son Heung-min rounded off the scoring late on.

Leeds had plenty of chances of their own, hitting the woodwork through Robin Koch and Raphinha, but home manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted the result was fair after seeing his team suffer a fourth successive defeat.

The result means Spurs will end the weekend five points outside the Champions League places, with Manchester United drawing with Watford, and Conte was encouraged by the "answer" his side provided after their setback at Turf Moor.

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"What I wanted to see today was the right spirit, the right character to fight and win the ball and duels, against a team that are masters in this situation," Conte said after the victory.

"Today I asked this to my players. I wanted an answer not only in football aspects but also in these aspects are very important in my opinion.

"Usually my teams are not only strong on the pitch but mentally in their desire and spirit. The opponent that plays us has to know this. We are also working on this aspect.

"I asked for this answer, especially after Burnley defeat. We lost that game because the opponents had more desire."

Conte was particularly pleased with the first goal, which came thanks to a combination between goalscorer Doherty and fellow wing-back Ryan Sessegnon, suggesting it was a sign that "the work is starting to work".

It marks a change from a few days earlier, when the manager cast doubt on his ability to turn things around, though he would later stress his commitment to the club.

"Sometimes I use soft words, sometimes with strong words, but only with one target. To improve," Conte said.

"We need to improve in many aspects. Today I have seen a great desire to fight in every zone. This needs to be the start, not just episodic."

Spurs' attentions will now turn to the FA Cup, where they take on Middlesbrough on Tuesday night at the Riverside Stadium.

The Championship side have won just two of their five league games since eliminating Manchester United from the competition in early February, losing to Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday.

Conte's side will return to league action on March 5, hosting Everton, before facing Manchester United the following weekend in what could be a huge game for both sides' hopes of European football.