Mauricio Pochettino: Our feeling now is like we lost the game

The only exception was their 2-0 victory against Hull City on 16 May. There was absence of courage, of belief, and ultimately that cost them two points. Wait until the buyers are so desperate to land their target, wait until they have ran out of time to get somebody else, and you can command the highest fee.

During a topsy-turvy first season at the White Hart Lane helm, one of the undoubted troughs for the former Argentina worldwide came in November’s home clash with the Potters. Kane should have added to Tottenham’s lead but he directed Chadli’s cross straight at Butland in the 52nd minute before departing 11 minutes later.

“He was exhausted”, Pochettino said.

Kane was withdrawn in the second half after missing a chance he would have stuck away with his eyes closed last season.

“To see him go off was a bit of a relief. We got hold of the game and started to dictate it”.

The new striker was fouled for the 78th-minute Marko Arnautovic penalty which halved the arrears, while the impressive Ireland crossed five minutes later for Mame Biram Diouf to level. From then on, Spurs were on their back foot, and Stoke took advantage. First-half goals from Eric Dier and Nacer Chadli, along with a bright opening hour from the home side, contributed to a buoyant mood until Stoke’s late revival deflated all that Tottenham optimism.

Their collapse can not be put down exclusively to Kane’s withdrawal, especially given the suspect nature of Spurs’ defending all afternoon.

Kane’s lack of fitness will be a concern for Pochettino, particularly given the club’s shortage of options up front with Roberto Soldado having already departed for Villarreal and Emmanuel Adebayor not in the Argentinian’s plans.

Most of the chances came from Spurs in the first half.

“We couldn’t keep the pressure on them and they kept on coming and, from a fault of mine, it’s a penalty”.

Making his first start since February, Januzaj converted a glorious pass from Juan Mata in the 29th minute as United extended an unbeaten record in league games at Villa Park that now stands at 20 years.

Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre Ayew both scored for the second game running as Swansea comfortably saw off ten-man Newcastle 2-0 at the Liberty Stadium. We need to be happy because, if Manchester United want him, it’s because he’s a great goalkeeper but Hugo is happy here and he has a contract here.

The north London side are reportedly on the brink of signing West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino in a touted £15m deal. What is for sure is that a club which prides itself on its attacking principles, of daring until the death, needs frontline reinforcements.