Mauricio Pochettino: 'It was what we asked for from the players and we need to keep this feeling going into our next match'

Published: 30 November, 2014
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 2, EVERTON 1

SPURS head coach Mauricio Pochettino said his players showed a new "mental strength" after coming from behind to beat Everton at White Hart Lane this afternoon (Sunday).

Speaking after the 2-1 victory, he said: "It was an important day for us.

"The performance was very good. It was not easy, going a goal down, but we turned it round."

Pochettino has previously questioned his players' confidence after losing four times at home already this season and has spoken at length how he is working to instill a tougher attitude into his side. He claimed this victory was a sign his methods are working. 

He said: "Our mentality and spirit was great. It was important to win again in front of our own fans. It was what we asked for from the players and we need to keep this feeling going into our next match."

Pochettino said match-winner Roberto Soldado, who has not scored for nine months, would particularly benefit from his late first-half goal that sealed the win.

He added: "It has been so frustrating for him. He can go on from here."

The match started in the worst possible way. On 14 minutes, Vlad Chiriches got in a tangle with Everton winger Kevin Mirallas. The resulting free-kick was cleared but Mirallas fell on a loose ball at the edge of the box. His instinctive shot flew into the top corner, leaving Hugo Lloris with no chance.  

Just six minutes later, Spurs showed the mettle Pochettino has asked for. Harry Kane was played in, and Everton keeper Tim Howard could only palm away his effort into the path of Christian Eriksen. The Danish midfielder chose his spot and finished neatly.  

It boosted the home side's confidence. Spurs took the game to the visitors, and Pochettino's men got what they deserved as the referee looked to blow up for half-time. Kane won a tackle high up the pitch, found Aaron Lennon, and his pass sent Roberto Soldado into space on the right. He strode into the box and the goal-shy forward thumped home emphatically. It was only his second Premier League goal of 2014 and it sent the fans into a frenzy.

Spurs knuckled down after half-time as Everton came out searching for an equaliser. The home team held firm in the face of pressure, and created occasional chances of their own. Mason, Soldado and Kane had openings, but it took some solid defending – and surviving a penalty scare after the ball struck Federico Fazio on the arm in the dying moments – as Everton threw everyone forward.  

This impressive victory moves Spurs into seventh, two points off fourth spot. Now Pochettino will hope the confidence doesn't disappear against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.  

SPURS: Lloris, Vertonghen, Chiriches (Dier, 69), Lennon (Lamela, 60), Soldado (Paulinho, 79), Kane, Fazio, Eriksen, Davies, Mason, Bentaleb.
Subs: Vorm, Kaboul, Paulinho, Lamela, Dier, Dembele, Chadli.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

Five reasons why today was special:

1. For all the cash spent, it's nice to see homegrown players starting. Nabil Bentaleb divides fans but he was excellent, while Ryan Mason and Harry Kane have become regulars on the back of their performances, not the size of their transfer fee.

2. Roberto Soldado has had chances, and either missed them through a lack of confidence or a lack of luck. It's been nine long months since he last scored in the league, but today his winner was clinical.  

3.Ben Davies came in for the injured Danny Rose, and while there was little to choose between the two in terms of going forward, he looked much stronger defensively.  

4.Jan Vertonghen reminded the fans of his qualities. His grumpy demeanour of recent months was absent. He battled for everything and bust a gut to get forward, too.

5.Pochettino's tinkering worked. He finally dropped the underperforming Emmanuel Adebayor and Younes Kaboul. It looked like Aaron Lennon's Spurs career was over, but he started and was magnificent.