Pochettino: Walker push on Sterling was not a penalty

Mark Scott
Maurcio Pochettino: Happy at Spurs

Maurcio Pochettino: Happy at Spurs

Mauricio Pochettino believes the right call was made to not award Man City a penalty for a clear push on Raheem Sterling inside the area.

The winger was through one-on-one with Hugo Lloris but his stride was broken by Kyle Walker who pushed him in the back.

Seconds later Tottenham equalised to rescue an unlikely point from the Etihad Stadium and Pochettino was pleased to see what he feels was the right decision not to give a spot kick.

“For me it was not a penalty. That is England, and you know it is the same if we complain Leroy Sane hand-balled for the first goal. I thought it was handball, but it’s difficult for the referee,” Pochettino told BBC Sport.

“In the game there are lots of pushes in England that aren’t a foul and it must be the same inside and outside the box.”

“It was a tough game for both sides. It is true, they were better in the first half and maybe deserved more, it was lucky for us to be 0-0 but in the second half the game was more balanced.

“We conceded two and it was difficult to come back but they always believed, that is important. It’s a massive point for us.

“From the beginning you could smell that they tried to change the feeling from the last game at Everton and were better on the mental level. Maybe we were too relaxed, and we told them that at half-time.

“We had to be more aggressive in some areas, and relaxed going forward. City were better but football is sometimes about belief, when you cannot play at your best.”