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They may have let the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea slip on Tuesday night, but the Tottenham players still seemed in a jovial mood as they prepared for Saturday's visit of Middlesbrough.

Mauricio Pochettino's side drew 0-0 at struggling Sunderland on Tuesday, in a game they were expected to win, meaning they were unable to close in on Antonio Conte's Blues, who also dropped points at Liverpool.

Despite being hard at work on the training ground in order to prepare for the clash with Aitor Karanka's Boro, the Tottenham players still found time to show their playful side as they enjoyed each other's company at their Enfield base.

Tottenham creative force Dele Alli plays with Josh Onomah's hair during training

The Spurs players showed their playful side as the ball was kicked at full back Kyle Walker

Eric Dier, the club's England international midfielder, expresses his delight during the session

Players including Harry Kane and Dier wore shirts to mark 10 years of the Spurs Foundation

Prankster in chief Dele Alli was pictured messing with youngster Josh Onomah's hair, while Kyle Walker, Harry Kane and Eric Dier were also involved in their share of fun and games.

The club are currently celebrating 10 years of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, which aims to create life-changing opportunities in their community, with the club's players wearing specially-commissioned T-shirts during Thursday morning's session to mark the occasion.

These shirts will also be worn during the warm-up prior to Saturday's clash with Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane, when Spurs will be looking to keep their title challenge on track.

Hugo Lloris of Tottenham and goalkeepeing coach Toni Jimenez give the camera a thumbs-up

Moussa Sissoko, the subject of recent criticism for his performances, looked cheerful

Harry Winks holds his head and raises a smile while working on the training field

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However, Chelsea star Eden Hazard does not expect the White Hart Lane club to challenge for the title, with the Belgian convinced they will fall out of contention and leave Arsenal and Manchester United as their main challengers. 

'I think Arsenal and Manchester United (are the biggest title rivals),' Hazard told Sky Sports.

'United had a bad first part of the season and I think for a couple of games now, they played well. 

'They have good players and the squad is very good. The manager is good, so they will be second or third.

'Tottenham also are strong. We lost there, but for me it is more Manchester United. They are more experienced. That is my opinion, maybe I'm wrong.'

Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen plays ballboy as he gets the balls out of the bag at training

Manager Pochettino will be expecting a much-improved display from his players from the one he got in the draw at Sunderland.

He said: 'Manchester City was the same; Wycombe, with different players, we struggled too. In the same way, we started the game today,' the Argentine said after the match.

'It's a thing to improve, to analyse for the future. It's clear something is wrong from the very beginning in the last few games.'  

Alli, Walker, Onomah, Kyle Walker Peters and Marcus Edwards leave the field in Enfield