TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino could be forgiven for ruing opportunities missed in a typically hectic Derby – but instead praised the efforts of his young side.

"We played well but we needed to kill the game off," he said after watching Spurs surrender the lead with just 15 minutes to go against rivals Arsenal at the Emirates. "With the chances we created, we could have won."

This was Tottenham's third game in six days – and Pochettino noted the effort his side conjured up.

"I am proud of the character we showed," he said. "It is always difficult to play on Monday, Thursday and then Sunday. We need to be happy, as this has been a busy week."

He added the performance, which saw Spurs stretch Arsenal and create good opportunities, was played in a style that showed his team were taking on his instructions.

"Today was an example of how we want to play," he added. "Our supporters can see our philosophy."

He would not be drawn on his sides chances of catching the Champions League gravy train next term, but with an unbeaten league run stretching back to the opening day, he noted his players' confidence.

"I do not know what we can achieve", he said. "It is impossible to set a limit. We are ambitious – but now we are just thinking about our next game."

Arsenal looked to be quick out of the blocks in the opening quarter hour, but Pochettino's youngsters did not let the hostile home atmosphere get to them. With Mousa Dembele slowing things down and Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen finding plenty of space, Pochettino's charges soon found a rhythm.

The opener came mid way through the first half. Harry Kane, on a goal scoring streak of five in three, ghosted on to a deep through ball from Danny Rose.

With no Arsenal defender near him, he opened his body up and calmly beat Peter Cech with a side footed finish.

But with 13 minutes left, Arsenal substitute Keiran Gibbs evaded Kyle Walker at the back post and Lloris couldn't get enough on his mis-hit shot to keep it out.

It leaves Spurs fifth, with a two week international break to recover before entertaining West Ham and Chelsea at White Hart Lane before November is out.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

MANY fans would have taken a point before the game – but will be replaying a host of good chances over and over in their heads as they fall asleep tonight. This was a derby that Spurs players can realistically say they deserved to win. With a third of the season gone, optimism is coursing through blue-and-white veins.

The Dele Alli show just keeps getting better and better. Playing his third game in six days, he was full of running, but perhaps more importantly for a 19-year-old, he showed a real maturity in his decision making.

Tottenham have had a soft centre at the heart of the defence for years. Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate were the closest in recent times to being solid but because of injuries, they never had a good run together. The pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld looks brilliant business, and you'd have to go as far back to Gary Mabbutt and Richard Gough to find anything comparable.