PREMIER LEAGUE POCH: THIS GOAL SAVED MY JOB

Why this deflected winner against Villa is the boss’ favourite strike from ton-up Harry Kane

SPURS boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed his favourite Harry Kane goal was a deflected free-kick at Aston Villa – because it saved his job.

The England striker reached his century for the club last weekend and took his tally to 103 with two more against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Kane has scored 29 times in 27 games this year, a strike rate better than that of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

But Pochettino, who took charge of Spurs in 2014, rates the top goal as one that went in off Nathan Baker in the 90th minute at Villa Park in only his 10th Premier League game as boss.

It was that Kaneinspired win which bought the Argentinian time to change the club.

“Maybe I can find many other goals that were fantastic, but for me the goals are related to emotion, in the period you are living,” said Pochettino.

“For me that goal was an amazing goal because it meant for us, for everyone, the possibility to stay here today.

“It’s true, the team were fourteenth or thirteenth and a little under pressure because they were playing well but not winning games. When you don’t get good results, the first to be sacked is the manager.

“The first 10 games are the most important. That is why that goal allowed us to carry on working and try to change the club. We were in the first season at Tottenham and people on day one when I signed the contract said, ‘OK maybe in a few months we will have a new face in front of us’.”

Instead Pochettino is firmly established – and yesterday used Kane’s first goal against Dortmund as an example to his teammates before today’s visit of Swansea.

“Players must show hunger and never lose their hunger,” he said. “We have a lot of good examples: Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, or players like Harry Kane, who is 23.

“I showed the team the first goal he scored against Borussia Dortmund, how he fought with two defensive players and then how he scored.

“It’s our responsibility to inspire them not to lose their hunger.”

Pochettino wants the same to apply to Delle Ali, whose search for a new agent has led to fears he is seeking a move.

“It’s not my business,” said Pochettino. “His big issue must be to focus on trying to improve and develop his game, to try to be better every day. Today the players are products with a lot of things happening around them.

“They need people that look after them because the business is so big today around players.”