Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino was exceedingly pleased with his side’s 2-1 victory over Sunderland on Saturday, stating in no uncertain terms that his men were by far the better side on the day and deserved all three points (above video).
[ FULL RECAP: Tottenham 2-1 Sunderland as Spurs reclaim Premier League’s fifth spot ]
The stats — 25 shots to eight (eight on target to four) and 65 percent possession, all in favor of Tottenham — tend to agree. Pochettino also hailed late-game hero Christian Eriksen, whose 88th-minute goal saved Spurs from another undesirable result and vaulted the North London side back into fifth place, just three points off Manchester United for the fourth and final Champions League place.
“I think that we played much better than Sunderland,” Pochettino said of the late victory. “I think we deserved more than the draw. In the second half I think that we were better. … Christian has scored a lot of goals at the end of games. He’s a very good player and I’m happy for him because it’s a very good victory.”