SPURS boss Mauricio Pochettino hailed his young stars as they stuck four goals past top of the table Manchester City today – but warned them to keep their 'feet on the grass'.

Goals from Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane and Erik Lamela saw Spurs thump City in a joyful display that Pochettino described as 'terrific for the players and supporters.'

“We have a lot of potential,” he said, when asked if this meant his team could genuinely challenge for a Champions League spot.

“We are the leagues youngest team, and this is important as it shows the potential is massive. But we need to keep our feet on the grass.”

He praised Lamela, who has struggled to live up to his £30m price tag in the two years he has been at Spurs – but ran the show today.

“I am very happy for him,” said Pochettino.

“He was fantastic. He scored, but not only that, he worked so, so hard for the team.”

And he also singled out Harry Kane, who struck his first goal of the season.

Harry Kane finally scores a league goal

“It was important for him,” said the coach. “It will take off the pressure – and stop reporters asking me questions about him.”

In the opening 15, Manchester City showed why they were top of the league. They peppered Hugo Lloris's goal with efforts, but all were from angles or distances that meant the keeper was never really troubled. Spurs had one moment early on where it looked like Kane and Lamela had sprung the offside trap, but as the Argnetine winger shaped to finish, a flag went up late.

The linesmen would then play a hand in both sides opening goals. On 25, Yaya Toure led a City break from a Spurs corner and Kevin De Bruyne found space. Ben Davies moved forward to play him off side, but the linesman failed to spot it. De Bruyne placed a well hit shot in the corner.

But Tottenham were not about to be over run. On 33, a slip by Aleksandar Kolarov allowed Kane a glimpse of goal, but he dragged his effort wide. Kane also forced Caballero into a sprawling stop on 40 with a well guided effort after Lamela had seen his shot blocked.

Then came the equaliser. On 44, Kyle Walker ran clear on the right and, like De Bruyne, looked way offside but no flag was forthcoming. His drilled cross found Son Heung-Min, but the number sevens shot hit the keeper and City scrambled it clear. Dier reacted quickest and from distance guided home through a thicket of players to bring things equal at the break.

On 49, Kane didn't give up the chase as he ran after a nothing ball and was fouled out wide on the right by Nicolas Otamendi. A looping Lamela cross came in and Alderweireld beat his marker to give Spurs the lead.

Lamela, the £30 million man, sinks City

It was to be the start of a dominant second period. On 60, Lamela led a break and was fouled as he rode a challenge. Christian Eriksen, returning from injury, sent a 25-yard free kick against the bar: Kane reacted first and the forward smashed home his first goal of the season.

City could find no way back and with ten minutes to go, substitute Clinton Njie twisted his marker on the right and spotted Lamela lurking in acres of space. He held off a defender, rounded City goalkeeper Willy Caballero and made it four.

He has spoken at length of a philosophy, a way of getting his young team to play, and today it all came together. This was a team performance but two vital components stood out.

Eric Dier has been moved from a second choice centre back and make shift right back into a midfield general. He won his tackles, fought for every thing, broke up City's rhythm and when in possession, always made simple passes count.

The other who deserves special praise is Erik Lamela. He scared City every time he went forward, but what was most satisfying was his all round attuitude. He won tackle after tackle after tackle. This was his best performance for Spurs.