Mauricio Pochettino has labelled Harry Winks ‘fantastic’ after his display against West Ham.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told the Tottenham and Wood Green Independent that he felt Harry Winks was ‘fantastic’ against West Ham United this evening.
Spurs went into the game having failed to win any of their last seven games in all competitions, but did boast the only unbeaten record left in the Premier League – and that was in danger when Michail Antonio headed West Ham into a first half lead.
Tottenham did hit back after the break as Harry Winks turned the ball home from close range, but West Ham reclaimed the lead when Winston Reid was brought down inside the penalty area, with Manuel Lanzini stepping up to score from the spot.
It looked like Spurs’ unbeaten run was coming to an end, but Harry Kane popped up to equalise from Heung-min Son’s cross, and Kane then scored the winner from the penalty spot after Son had been fouled by Havard Nordtveit in the dying embers of the game.
The result leaves Spurs just three points off top spot, and whilst Kane’s two-goal salvo will grab the headlines, so will the performance and goal from young midfielder Winks.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks celebrates scoring their first goal with Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
The 20-year-old academy product was making his first start for his boyhood club having been handed a surprise start by Pochettino, and he repaid the manager’s faith with a composed performance beyond his years, and the equalising goal as he broke into the box to score.
After the final whistle, manager Pochettino spoke to the Tottenham and Wood Green Independent, and admitted that Winks’ goal was a ‘very emotional moment’, as he had risen from the academy to be a first-team starter.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks celebrates scoring their first goal
Pochettino added that he felt Winks was ‘fantastic’ in his first Premier League, showing ‘big character’ and was always looking to take Tottenham forward, admitting that he was very emotional in the dressing room after the game.
“It was a very emotional moment, the first time he is in the in the starting eleven, he has come from the academy,” said Pochettino. “He scored and he played fantastic on his first start in the Premier League with us. He showed big character and played well, he was always forwards. He played well and when he scored the goal I was very emotional and in the changing room afterwards as well. You can see how he feels about Tottenham,” he added.
What did you think of Winks’ performance?
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