Mauricio's verdict on City

Mauricio Pochettino praised the team’s mentality after we fought tooth and nail for a draw at Manchester City in another thriller at the Etihad on Saturday.

Twice behind, Erik Lamela curled home our first equaliser in the first half before Lucas Moura dramatically scored with his first touch off the bench to make it 2-2 in the second half.

Once again, VAR played a part as, incredibly, history repeated itself in this fixture. Back in April, Raheem Sterling had a goal disallowed in the Champions League quarter-final, second leg and City were denied again in added time, this time Gabriel Jesus’ ‘winner’ called back after review for handball against Aymeric Laporte.

It was breathless stuff as we faced wave after wave of attack from the reigning champions.

To put this draw into context, City have only dropped points in four of their last 39 home matches in the Premier League. They won 18 and lost one last season.

Mauricio was honest in his assessment. “We need to improve in our performance,” he said. “But the most important thing is that we have the belief and the faith to come here with the mentality, maybe not playing at our best, but trying to fight.

“Without that mentality, it’s impossible to get the result we got today.

“That speaks very highly about the character of the team. I’m so pleased. That point is going to help us to be better.”

Mauricio often talks about the importance of being clinical – two goals from three efforts was just that!

“That is football!” he said. “You know, it’s true we want to play in a different way but when you face a team like Manchester City, you see the bench and the players out, it’s clear they have the quality.

“They are a consistent team, solid, winning the last two Premier Leagues. We’re in a different process and that’s why we’re so happy to get the result.”

The last word went to Lucas. Brought on in the 56th minute, the popular Brazilian ran straight to the box for our corner where he produced a prodigious leap over Kyle Walker to glance Erik Lamela’s delivery beyond Ederson and home. From touchline to goal was timed at 19 seconds.

“That can happen!” smiled Mauricio. “That is about the game. If he’s on the pitch, he can score. If not, he cannot score! It was fantastic that he scored with his first touch and helped the team. I’m very pleased for him. He has incredible spring. That’s one of his qualities.”