Pochettino blames bobble on pitch for Lamela's miss against Man City

Mauricio Pochettino refused to place blame on Erik Lamela for squandering their best opportunity to steal a point against Manchester City on Monday evening.

The winger was presented with a gilt-edged chance to score in the second half after Riyad Mahrez - who scored the only goal of the game to seal the three points - was caught in possession by Dele Alli in his own half.

The Tottenham man fed Lamela, who in hindsight had the time to control the ball, stand still and pick his spot. Given the 26-year-old's current form, taking the chance almost seemed like a formality, but he forget the golden rule of finishing and leant back and skied his effort.

Pochettino displayed his sympathetic side afterwards, excusing Lamela of fault to instead point the finger at the NFL-battered Wembley pitch.

'I saw the ball going towards Lamela and I thought goal,' he told Sky Sports. 'But watching the replay of the action, the ball bounced just before it reached the boot of Lamela and that is why he missed the chance.'

That excuse from the Tottenham boss resonated with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher to a certain extent, but he felt Lamela still should have done better with the opportunity.

He said: 'There is a bobble, there's no doubt about that. There are actually a few bobbles, but it doesn't do it at the last minute, so you could get yourself set a bit but it's difficult. Still in that position bobbling up he could have worked the keeper.'

Carragher's colleague Gary Neville, was not in such a forgiving mood and blasted Lamela for failing to keep his composure, saying: 'I think we are being a bit kind, it didn't shoot up, the biggest problem he has is he's leaning back.

'I wasn't the best finisher in Premier League history, but you're told when you're five, six years of age not to lean back. I think if it bobbled up at the last minute, we could have some sympathy for him.'