Mauricio Pochettino hails new Tottenham stadium as 'best in the world'
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ByEurosport
Updated 03/04/2019 at 21:59 GMT
Mauricio Pochettino has described Tottenham's new stadium as "the best in the world" after his side marked their first competitive match at their new home with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Mauricio Pochettino
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Second-half goals from Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen were enough to secure victory at Spurs' new stadium, on an emotional night next door to the old White Hart Lane.
The result means that Spurs move back to third in the league, a point ahead of London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, although the Gunners do have a game in hand.
Pochettino told Sky Sports: "It's a special moment, a special night. I feel and believe it is the best stadium in the world.
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Heung-Min Son scored the oepning goal at the new Tottenham stadium
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We knew the game was going to be difficult and tough. You don't know how we're going to react but, playing the way we played in the first half, we were going to score.
"I'm pleased for [chairman] Daniel Levy because of this fantastic project and I dedicate that victory to him.
"The emotion was amazing from the beginning. To win was so important to us. Today we touched the glory. Now we need to touch the glory of lifting trophies. Now is the start of a chapter. We close one chapter and open another chapter and bring victory to our fans."
After a couple of test events the official opening was marked by a pre-match ceremony involving a brass band, a school choir and fireworks illuminating the golden cockerel sitting proudly on top of the South Stand.
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Mauricio Pochettino congratulate Christian Eriksen on his outstanding display
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Tottenham's worst slump in Pochettino's five years in charge - one point from five games - had seen his side's outside shot at the title replaced by the fear of being swallowed by the chasing pack in the race for a top-four spot.
After failing to get an early breakthrough the anxiety began to show, with Eriksen and Danny Rose both failing to capitalise on chances while Harry Kane had a free kick deflected wide.
It was left to Son, Tottenham's often unsung hero, to break the deadlock, latching onto Eriksen's pass to etch his name into the club's history books.
"It's just amazing. What an unbelievable stadium. The noise was just so loud," Son, whose 12th league goal of the season came in front of the stadium's steepling 17,500-seat single tier South Stand, told Sky Sports.
"To score the first goal at this stadium. White Hart Lane is our history but the new stadium... I can't believe it."
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Roy Hodgson shares an embrace with Pochettino before kick-off
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With Tottenham's fans finally creating the atmosphere the occasion merited, Kane blazed over before his stumbling run into the area ended with Eriksen sweeping home from close range.
"I think we needed to hang on another five or 10 minutes at 0-0," said Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson. "The first goal was a bit unfortunate being a deflection. Spurs had been the dominant team - no doubt about that.
"We can't complain about the result - they played very well. I cannot be too disappointed with my side but there was no surrender on our side."
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