Pochettino happy with Fernando Llorente for rising to the occasion against Watford
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino heaped praise on Fernando Llorente after the Spaniard helped the Lilywhites complete a remarkable comeback against Watford to claim all three points with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night.
Llorente played an important role in Heung-min Son’s 80th-minute equaliser to cancel out Craig Cathcart’s first-half goal and got his name on the scoresheet for the second time in three games, heading it in from close range to put the hosts in the driver’s seat with just three minutes to go.
Llorente ran towards Pochettino to celebrate his goal but the manager said: “I don’t think he wanted to come to me! I moved into his run, I put myself in the way to try to celebrate with him.
“Normally I never celebrate goals but today I felt a bit of freedom to celebrate because we deserved to win.
Pochettino has relied on the Spaniard to fill in the boots of the injured Harry Kane and he was happy that Llorente rose to the occasion at just the right time.
“I’m so happy because Fernando has been working so hard in the last four games with Harry Kane out. He’s working so hard for the team, and to help the team to win three points today is a massive thing. Always it builds the confidence in a striker.
“When you are competing with Harry Kane, or behind Harry Kane — one of the best strikers in the world — always it’s difficult. Always you need time. But in all this time he’s been a fantastic professional and always was pushing and helping the team.”
Llorente’s 87th-minute winner prevented Spurs from losing three games on a row following their cup exits against Chelsea and Crystal Palace last week.
