Football
Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham Correspondent 8y

Tottenham's win 'means a lot more' than three points - Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino said Tottenham's 2-1 win at Manchester City was "a lot more" significant to his team than another three points.

Spurs confirmed their status as title challengers with a dominant display at the Etihad Stadium, capped off by Christian Eriksen's 83rd-minute winner after Kelechi Iheanacho had cancelled out Harry Kane's opener from the penalty spot.

The result -- Spurs' seventh win in a row in all competitions -- moved Tottenham to within two points of Premier League leaders Leicester City, who lost at Arsenal earlier on Sunday, and four clear of Manchester City.

The Spurs coach was delighted with his side's "perfect" display and claimed the win was more significant than the points alone.

"We are very happy with the performance, the effort. The victory is a perfect job," Pochettino told Sky Sports.

"This was our plan and we delivered it perfectly. To come and play the way we played with a very young squad, to play a team where all the players are world champions, world class, we need to give full credit to our players.

"Manchester City needed to show that they wanted to win the game but we were calm, we played well, we defended well. Our mentality is always to try to score and win the game. I'm very pleased because it wasn't only a win -- it means a lot more than only three points.

"It's important to have this type of experience for the future. We are very young. Before the game, you could feel it wasn't a normal game and we started to discover this type of game, this type of experience. It's very important for the future."

Pochettino has repeatedly refused to talk up his side's title chances and he again stopped short of saying Spurs could win the league for the first time since 1961.

"Step-by-step. My speech is always the same. We need to keep working hard, keep this feeling, keep the right mentality," Pochettino said.

"We have a lot of games ahead, we are in different competitions, you need to respect the competitions and it's important to give your best every day.

"It's important to be calm. The way we've taken from the beginning of the season is perfect. We need to carry on. We have a very clear plan and we need to deliver it."

Spurs took the lead through a controversial 53rd-minute penalty after referee Mark Clattenburg adjudged Raheem Sterling to have handled Danny Rose's cross in the box.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini was unhappy with the decision, describing it as "unbelievable" but Pochettino claimed he did not have a clear view of the incident from his technical area.

"I didn't see because from my point, it was very difficult. It's true Manchester City can complain but I cannot give my opinion," Pochettino said.

Kane said Tottenham felt as if they could triumph in all of their remaining matches.

"We feel we can beat anyone in the league and we fancy our chances against anyone," he told Sky. "It was a very big game, away at City who are a top team. Everyone is fighting for places so to come away with a win is a good feeling.

"But there is a long way to go. We are in three competitions and are taking them all seriously. Coming here and getting three points will give us confidence.

"It was a good open game. We have to keep going and do the right things. We can't get carried away but it is a big away win."

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