Man Utd legend praises Mauricio Pochettino for transforming ‘flimsy’ culture

Things had not started so well for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as Kevin de Bruyne continued his impressive return to English football by slotting home the opener midway through the first half.

Their cause will not be helped by the likely absence of Kompany with a calf problem while keeper Joe Hart and the influential Yaya Toure are also doubts.

A header from Toby Alderweireld put Tottenham ahead in the 50th minute before Kane, also looking offside, coolly clipped in a rebound when Christian Eriksen’s free kick hit the bar and Erik Lamela completed the rout.

Although he has scored two goals for the senior England team this season, he had been frustrated at club level – until he broke his duck on Saturday.

“Maybe it shut a few people up who have been talking over the last few weeks”, he said. It’s frustrating more than anything.

“I have had to prove people wrong throughout my career to get where I am”. It looked like Manuel Pellegrini’s side would run away with it and there were plenty of chances that were thwarted by the resilient Hugo Lloris. I was delighted. Sometimes you need a bit of luck. That is how it is as a striker, you have to ride the waves. Sometimes it doesn’t go for you and fortunately this time it did.

“But we’ve probably got to do it on a more regular basis this year”.

He told The People, in quotes reported by the Daily Mirror: “It was great to see Harry score for Spurs”.

It’s great to score. He kept Sergio Aguero quiet as Man City crumbled at White Hart Lane. “That’s rare and it’s a tribute to the management and staff for bringing them through and not being afraid to play them“, added Kane. His form in the Premier League is good news for Ireland boss Martin O’Neill.

“Do the “one-season wonder” comments hurt?” “It’s hard to explain”. Comparisons to Teddy Sheringham are more apt than comparisons to Alan Shearer, because Kane likes moving into deep positions and encouraging midfield runners beyond him.

Last season Mauricio Pochettino had his hands tied somewhat, and subsequently played his players over and over until fatigue began to show.

One of the more consistent performers in Manchester United’s team is definitively Juan Mata who makes another Team of the Week feature with a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over Sunderland. At 1-1, we had to keep playing as a team, keep communicating.

I have not even mentioned Alex Pritchard – still sidelined with an ankle injury, but bubbling just beneath the first-team squad.

“We’ve learned from a year ago and that’s what we’re trying to do, we’re trying to get better and better, and we can’t fade off for the next few games”. It’s true that we have left ourselves short of out-and-out strikers – but the transfer window was generally positive.