Mauricio Pochettino: 'I have a lot of memories from my time at Southampton. It's going to be emotional. At this moment they are the better team, but we are confident that we can win'

Published: 3 October, 2014
By PAUL COWLING at White Hart Lane

Europa League: Group C
SPURS 1, BESIKTAS 1

MAURICIO Pochettino says he will be “emotional” on Sunday when Spurs tackle his former charges Southampton at White Hart Lane – but is adamant that any sentimentalities won't stop him from doing everything he can to net a much-needed victory.

The Tottenham boss added that he wasn't expecting a bad reaction from the travelling fans, simply saying, “I am happy, they are happy.”

He said: “I have a lot of memories from my time at Southampton. It's going to be emotional. At this moment they are the better team, but we are confident that we can win.”

Pochettino's new crop of players will have to do better than the side he fielded in Thursday's fortunate 1-1 draw against Turkish side Besiktas in the Europa League.

Harry Kane put Spurs ahead with their first effort on goal in the 27th minute, but just when it looked as if heroics from Hugo Lloris would give the home side their first win in Group C, Chelsea reject Demba Ba struck from the penalty spot.

After the match, Pochettino voiced his frustration at the late equaliser. “It was an open game, but I am very disappointed that we conceded the goal,” he said. “But maybe Besiktas deserved it.”

They did. Slaven Bilic's side had carried on where they had left off against Arsenal in their recent Champions League play-off – holding their own against their Premier League opponents.

After the match, Bilic paid tribute to Spurs keeper Lloris. “I already knew Lloris was top class. He is complete, brilliant,” he said.

Pochettino had made a full 10 outfield changes from the side that drew against north London rivals Arsenal on Saturday, with only keeper Lloris remaining in the starting line-up.

The French national captain pulled off three top-class saves to deny Besiktas. First, he got a foot to a goal-bound effort from the dangerous Olcay Sahan on 32 minutes. Then, in the second half, he produced two stunning saves, first to deny Sahan, and then Ba.

By then, Spurs had already taken the lead courtesy of their England Under-21 striker, who drilled in a left-foot shot midway through the first half. The goal gave Spurs more belief.

Just before half-time Andros Townsend – marking his call-up to the England squad for the forthcoming European qualifiers – whipped in a dangerous cross, but Roberto Soldado couldn't get his head to the ball. Kane also forced a good save out of keeper Tolga Zengin as Spurs looked for a two-goal cushion.

But Besiktas earned a deserved point late on, largely thanks to poor defending from Vlad Chiriches who, having failed to make a simple clearance, ended up handling the ball in the box under pressure from Sahan. Up stepped Ba, who cooly slotted the ball home. Cue delirium from the visiting fans, and a bucket of water from a steward to douse flaming red flares.

TOTTENHAM: Lloris, Dier, Fazio, Chiriches, Davies, Benteleb, Stambouli (Dembele, 64), Townsend, Kane, Paulinho (Lennon, 59), Soldado (Adebayor, 77)
Subs not used: Vorm, Kaboul, Lamela, Naughton
Attendance: 24,300