Lamela 'showing what he's capable of'

Erik Lamela isn’t one to blow his own trumpet – Mauricio Pochettino and Mousa Dembele were happy to do just that after his fifth goal in seven games took us to victory at West Ham on Saturday.

The all-action attacking midfielder delivered again on his first Premier League start of the campaign.

Moussa Sissoko provided the assist and Erik stooped to head home the only goal of the game just before half-time.

The second half was a rearguard action as West Ham pressed forward but Hugo Lloris produced three fine saves to make sure the points came back to N17.

It was our seventh win in our opening nine Premier League matches this term – our best start to a Premier League campaign at this stage.

Victory over Cardiff on 6 October represented the first time we'd won six of our first eight matches and equalled our tally of 18 points from 2016/17. This is the first time we've racked up 21 points after nine games.

Mousa, back from injury as a second half substitute, spoke in glowing terms after joining Erik’s post-match interview with Spurs TV.

“He’s unbelievable,” he said of Erik. “He’s helping us a lot - skills, goals, work rate, everything we can ask from a top player like him.

“Everyone knows he has a strong mentality and that’s why he’s improved a lot and you can see he’s so important for us and we always knew this. We’re happy he’s showing the world what he’s capable of.”

Mauricio added: “I feel very happy for Erik. It’s his sixth season with us. I’m happy for him, he provided the three points for the team and was very good.

"It’s very good to see him being very competitive again and helping the team, that’s most important.

“I feel always to be consistent, to fight, to try to give your best that the depth of the squad is so important.”