Sat 20 October 2018, 18:30
Tottenham HotspurMauricio Pochettino pointed to the team’s fighting spirit as we secured our best start to a Premier League season with a 1-0 win at West Ham.
Victory over Cardiff last time out represented the first time we’d won six of our first eight matches in a Premier League campaign and levelled our 18 points tally from 2016/17.
Saturday’s hard-earned win at the London Stadium means it’s the first time we’ve won seven of our first nine and racked up 21 points in the process.
Erik Lamela proved matchwinner with a glancing header from Moussa Sissoko’s cross towards the end of the first half.
We’d had the better of that opening period but had to batten down the hatches as the Hammers piled on the pressure in the second half. We stayed strong with Hugo Lloris denying dangerman Marko Arnautovic on three occasions.
“It was a very tough derby,” said Mauricio. “I’m very happy for our fans. I’m so pleased for our players, it was a fantastic performance, a competitive game and important to start a busy period with a victory away from home in another London derby.”
Asked what pleased him the most, Mauricio added: “Everything. The approach to the game, we were so competitive. I thought we deserved more than 1-0 at half-time.
“In the second half they were pushing us, it was a difficult game, we suffered a little but it’s always so important to keep fighting, maybe not playing at our best, but fighting to try to win.
“All derbies are so emotional, not only do you play with your heart but you must always play with your head as well and to sometimes be calm in order to make your decisions on the pitch.
“I am so pleased because we are in a very good position in the table and that is what pleased me the most for our fans, the players, everyone.”
