Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Pochettino laughs at Salah and Kane goal race
TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino was reduced to laughter at the thought of Mohamed Salah gaining extra motivation to win the Premier League Golden Boot from Harry Kane’s bonus goal this week.
Kane enhanced his chances of winning the prize for the third season running when he was awarded Tottenham’s second goal in their 2-1 win at Stoke last Saturday after it was originally given to Christian Eriksen.
The England striker was adamant he had to get the credit for the strike and managed to get the Premier League’s goal accreditation appeals panel to award it in his favour.
It took his tally to 25 goals for the season, four behind Liverpool’s Salah who, along with a number of other players, immediately appeared to question the decision on Twitter.
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge said the decision should inspire the Egyptian to go on and win the prize, but Pochettino was having none of it.
“I don’t believe. I don’t believe,” he said. “I don’t believe Salah needs this situation to be inspired . . . come on, you make me laugh.
“I respect their opinions. I respect all of their opinions.
“I respect the people that disagree with Harry, who do not agree with Harry, with the people who were surprised about him claiming it was his goal or not.
“Today everyone can talk, and everyone can give his opinion. We are more than happy to live in a society in most of the world that we feel freedom to talk, to say, to write, to do what we want. Why?
“We need to accept that people have different opinions. I’m sure Harry has accepted that different people have different visions.”