Lloris kept us in the game – Pochettino backs captain despite errors

Mauricio Pochettino praised Hugo Lloris’ performance as Tottenham drew 2-2 at Manchester City, despite the costly errors that handed the hosts a two-goal advantage.

In the space of five minutes, Lloris presented opportunities to both Leroy Sane and Kevin de Bruyne, who steered City into a comfortable lead.

However, Spurs hit back through Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min, and Pochettino later claimed that his side should be thankful to their goalkeeper for crucial first-half saves from Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling.

“I think Lloris kept us in the game in the first half,” he told a post-match news conference. “He was very good in the first half with one or two big saves.

“I don’t change my opinion on him. He is one of the best goalkeepers and sometimes those things happen in football.

“That action can happen, but it was a very good performance on the pitch.”

Tottenham lost Toby Alderweireld to injury at the Etihad Stadium, but Pochettino is hopeful the issue is not a serious one for the Belgium international.

“I think [the injury] doesn’t look bad,” he added. “We don’t know if it was an injury or it was a precaution that he decided to come off the pitch.

“I think he felt tired and I think, when we were talking, it doesn’t look bad for Toby.”