Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has praised defender Serge Aurier.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told the London Evening Standard that the Spurs squad ‘love’ new signing Serge Aurier.
Spurs made it three wins from three Premier League away games this season with a 3-2 victory at West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, though Aurier managed to grab the headlines.
Two goals from Harry Kane gave Spurs a 2-0 lead at half time, before Christian Eriksen made it 3-0 after the break, only for Javier Hernandez and Cheikhou Kouyate to pull goals back for West Ham, setting up a tense finale.
Serge Aurier of Tottenham in action against West Ham United
Tottenham managed to hang on though, despite right back Aurier picking up a red card for two yellow cards in six minutes, with the defender given his marching orders shortly after Hernandez’s goal.
A rash challenge on Andy Carroll saw Aurier take an early bath, bringing a premature end to his first Premier League start, having been given the nod ahead of Kieran Trippier.
Aurier, 24, joined Spurs from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day last month, and has been earmarked as the replacement for Kyle Walker at right back, with many excited about his arrival.
Serge Aurier of Tottenham after being sent off against West Ham United
However, a red card on his first Premier League start is far from ideal, prompting manager Pochettino to defend him rather than criticise him so early into his Spurs career.
Pochettino has told the London Evening Standard that Aurier’s behaviour has been fantastic since he arrived, claiming that his Spurs team-mates ‘love him’, talking up his friendship with Trippier before stating that he feels Aurier is doing ‘very well’ and that Spurs are happy with his progress, despite the red card.
“But his reputation is not about getting sent off many times,” said Pochettino. “His behaviour is fantastic on the team, since he arrived. The teammates love him. He is a very good teammate and he is very good friends with Kieran Trippier, who he competes with for the same position.”
“I think, to be honest, he is doing very well. We are so happy with him,” he added.
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