Pochettino hails Spurs' mental strength
Manager praises players’ spirit in 2-1 win over Brighton to avoid three straight defeats
PHOTO: AFP
BRIGHTON:
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino praised the mentality of his side to grind out a much-needed 2-1 win in sodden conditions at Brighton on Saturday to halt a run of three straight defeats.
Harry Kane ended a five-game goal drought from the penalty spot and Erik Lamela doubled Tottenham's lead before Anthony Knockaert pulled a late goal back for Brighton.
"The players were suffering a lot. The pressure was high, they wanted to deliver a result for the fans, for themselves, and for us (the coaching staff)," said Pochettino, after the first three-game losing run since he took charge in 2014. "I think the spirit we showed today was the spirit I wanted to see in the other games. I'm so happy with the attitude, the spirit. Then we know very well we have great quality, great players, and we can play amazing football."
Victory moves Spurs back up to fifth in the Premier League, still six points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Like many of his teammates, England captain Kane has looked jaded from his heroics in winning the Golden Boot at the World Cup in recent weeks.
But he remains deadly from the spot as he hammered home his third goal of the season.
Liverpool sweep aside Spurs for fifth straight win
"Today was about mentality, getting around the pitch, pressing high and harder and I think we did that," said Kane. "We could have put it to bed and won 3-0 or 4-0 but it's good to get back to winning ways. The gaffer will be pleased and we can build on this."
Pochettino had left Kieran Tripper and Toby Alderweireld at home for Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League, but both were recalled among five changes from the side that lost at the San Siro and had a big impact.
Alderweireld's powerful header from Trippier's corner was brilliantly saved by Mat Ryan early on.
Despite Tottenham's dominance in possession, the Australian international goalkeeper wasn't forced into another save until Spurs took the lead three minutes before half-time.
Referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot when Glenn Murray jumped with his arm above his head to block Trippier's free-kick and Kane sent Ryan the wrong way from the spot.
Liverpool, City cruise forward; United held
Liverpool and Manchester City's shootout for the Premier League title intensified on Saturday with comfortable wins over Southampton and Cardiff, while Manchester United were held 1-1 by Wolves on the day Alex Ferguson returned to Old Trafford.
Jurgen Klopp could afford the luxury of handing Xherdan Shaqiri his first Liverpool start for a 3-0 victory at Anfield and Wesley Hoedt turned the Swiss international's deflected shot in for the opener before Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah's first goal in four games sealed Liverpool's seventh straight win in all competitions.
City edged ahead of Chelsea, who travel to West Ham on Sunday, into second, two points behind the leaders, as they bounced back from a shock Champions League defeat against Lyon in midweek by thrashing Cardiff 5-0 in the Welsh capital.
United, though, are now eight points off the top as a run of three straight wins to avert an early-season crisis came to an end against an impressive Wolves while Ferguson watched on for the first time since undergoing emergency surgery on a brain haemorrhage in May.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino praised the mentality of his side to grind out a much-needed 2-1 win in sodden conditions at Brighton on Saturday to halt a run of three straight defeats.
Harry Kane ended a five-game goal drought from the penalty spot and Erik Lamela doubled Tottenham's lead before Anthony Knockaert pulled a late goal back for Brighton.
"The players were suffering a lot. The pressure was high, they wanted to deliver a result for the fans, for themselves, and for us (the coaching staff)," said Pochettino, after the first three-game losing run since he took charge in 2014. "I think the spirit we showed today was the spirit I wanted to see in the other games. I'm so happy with the attitude, the spirit. Then we know very well we have great quality, great players, and we can play amazing football."
Victory moves Spurs back up to fifth in the Premier League, still six points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Like many of his teammates, England captain Kane has looked jaded from his heroics in winning the Golden Boot at the World Cup in recent weeks.
But he remains deadly from the spot as he hammered home his third goal of the season.
Liverpool sweep aside Spurs for fifth straight win
"Today was about mentality, getting around the pitch, pressing high and harder and I think we did that," said Kane. "We could have put it to bed and won 3-0 or 4-0 but it's good to get back to winning ways. The gaffer will be pleased and we can build on this."
Pochettino had left Kieran Tripper and Toby Alderweireld at home for Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League, but both were recalled among five changes from the side that lost at the San Siro and had a big impact.
Alderweireld's powerful header from Trippier's corner was brilliantly saved by Mat Ryan early on.
Despite Tottenham's dominance in possession, the Australian international goalkeeper wasn't forced into another save until Spurs took the lead three minutes before half-time.
Referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot when Glenn Murray jumped with his arm above his head to block Trippier's free-kick and Kane sent Ryan the wrong way from the spot.
Liverpool, City cruise forward; United held
Liverpool and Manchester City's shootout for the Premier League title intensified on Saturday with comfortable wins over Southampton and Cardiff, while Manchester United were held 1-1 by Wolves on the day Alex Ferguson returned to Old Trafford.
Jurgen Klopp could afford the luxury of handing Xherdan Shaqiri his first Liverpool start for a 3-0 victory at Anfield and Wesley Hoedt turned the Swiss international's deflected shot in for the opener before Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah's first goal in four games sealed Liverpool's seventh straight win in all competitions.
City edged ahead of Chelsea, who travel to West Ham on Sunday, into second, two points behind the leaders, as they bounced back from a shock Champions League defeat against Lyon in midweek by thrashing Cardiff 5-0 in the Welsh capital.
United, though, are now eight points off the top as a run of three straight wins to avert an early-season crisis came to an end against an impressive Wolves while Ferguson watched on for the first time since undergoing emergency surgery on a brain haemorrhage in May.