When Erik Lamela found the net with his extraordinary strike to put Tottenham 2-0 up against Asteras on Thursday night, the cameras picked up a stony faced Mauricio Pochettino who was unmoved in the home dugout.
Perhaps, as the half time pundits suggested, he had been considering whether to take the winger off at half time or maybe, like many of us, he hadn’t actually worked out what had happened.
The Argentine’s ‘Rabona’ was followed by a rather more conventional, but still spectacular goal in the second period but after the game, the head coach had softened enough to offer some praise.
“One time I scored one goal like that myself,” Pochettino laughed. “You will find it on YouTube.
“No, it was a very big goal, a great goal, an unbelievable goal. I am happy for him and it helped us to get the three points.
“Maybe it is the best. Probably.”
However, Mauricio did go on to criticise a sloppy finale which ended in comical circumstances with Harry Kane doing his best Heurelho Gomes impression.
“I think that Hugo’s behaviour was correct,” Pochettino added. “Unlucky because it was a red card but I am not happy with the last minutes because our defensive line was very high.
“We gave the possibility to play in behind our defensive line and at 5-0, with three minutes before the end of the game, we were not ready and focused in that action.
“We gave them the possibility to play well one v one with the keeper and for that I am not happy.”
As for Erik Lamela, it’s tough not to get excited about him but it would be a relief to see that confidence taken across to the Premiership and for him to produce an equally effective display.
the greeks I read were top of our league.makes you wonder.the serbs were much better.we all played well.cant understand why kane isn’t our first team striker.he offers more then the other two.perhaps if you have them sitting on the bench too often they will lose value comes January.our football on the ball and off the ball was much better.we will be a force again.its when ?
Lamela has always been a class act
Just like my dreams they fade and die fortunes always hiding I’ve looked every where I’m forever blowing bubbles pretty bubbles in the air UNITED! Those PIKEYS chas and Dave are bigger than you’s now you tupenny apenny Toby’s from middlesex
I love NEWCASTLE.