Optimistic boss vows Spurs can do it

MAURICIO Pochettino insisted Tottenham can qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League after their late escape against PSV Eindhoven. Harry Kane scored twice as Spurs fought back to win 2-1, leaving them with four points from four games in Group B. ‘The belief is still there and I am optimistic,’ said Pochettino. ‘We must focus on Saturday but in the Champions League we must focus on Inter Milan. ‘We can beat them. We deserved more in Milan. We played better than them. If we are able to beat them, the chance to reach the next stage is higher.’ The Spurs boss (below) praised the spirit of his players after four games in nine days. ‘I am so pleased,’ said Pochettino. ‘The early goal increased the belief for our opponents and we created chances and dominated the game and could not score. ‘Their goalkeeper was fantastic, but we fought to the end. ‘We never gave up. We showed great character and I am so pleased with the way we played, trying to be patient and not making rash decisions.’ He forgave Tottenham fans who jeered his decision to replace Lucas Moura when the team were trailing. ‘After four-and-a-half years, it’s the first time they criticise,’ said Pochettino. ‘Of course they want to play with nine or 10 strikers when we are losing. If I was in the stands, my reaction would be the same. But we wanted to find a solution and we did.’ PSV boss Mark van Bommel hailed his team in defeat and criticised the Wembley surface. ‘The pitch is s***,’ said Van Bommel. ‘It’s not good but we’re not complaining. The players were complaining in training but I told them to shut up. ‘We got a goal and we tried to defend it until the end. We did everything we could. We fought like lions.’