Pochettino buoyant despite 'unfair' red card

Pochettino's side laboured throughout the first half at Upton Park and were unimpressive in the Argentine's first Premier League game in charge.

The visitors were up against it in the London derby when Kyle Naughton was dismissed for handball with only 29 minutes gone, but Mark Noble missed the resulting penalty.

West Ham were also reduced to 10 men in the second half as James Collins was shown a second yellow card, then debutant Eric Dier stunned the home supporters by scoring a late winner.

Pochettino felt Naughton's dismissal was harsh, but was delighted to secure all three points right at the death.

"We are very happy, so congratulations to players and fans," he said. "They gave unbelievable effort .The support was unbelievable today as well.

"I think the red card was unfair, but the most important thing is that we never gave up, we stayed calm, we believed in our skill and our team, but we kept our offensive play.

"We reorganised our system and carried on. This is football and I am very happy to get three points today.

"This [kind of harsh decision] sometimes happens. It was unfair because the ball was going away from target. It was unfair, the sending off, but it was a penalty.

"Pochettino was also excited by the performance of match-winner Dier, a recent signing from Sporting Lisbon.

The former Southampton boss is not expecting too much, too soon from the England Under-21 defender despite the impact he made on his debut.

Pochettino added: "He is still young, but he showed in the game last week [friendly against Schalke] and today a great performance. 

"He is calm and has quality potential, but he is young. We need to give him opportunities to play, but we must be careful as he is young. But today he was the hero.

"He doesn't play like a centre forward in training. I am very pleased for him. It was his debut and he has, like all of the team, put in a great performance. 

"This is our philosophy; to believe. We always have to believe for 90, 95 minutes in a game."

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
Latest in News
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report