Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane’s Stoke goal appeal ‘not a big deal’

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino revealed he had no involvement in Harry Kane’s successful goal appeal and insists “it is not a big deal”.

Kane was awarded Tottenham’s second goal in their 2-1 win over Stoke after appealing to the Premier League goal accreditation appeals panel with Christian Eriksen initially credited with the goal.

The Englishman’s appeal raised eyebrows on social media with Premier League top scorer Mo Salah – who is now four goals ahead of Kane in the race for the Golden Boot – questioning the panel’s decision.

But Spurs boss Pochettino has defended Kane’s character and says the appeal has not damaged the dressing room with Kane and Eriksen agreeing to the decision.

He said: “It is not a big deal, I promise you. Harry is generous and a person who always puts the collective ahead before himself.

“Harry is a very honest person, he’s not going to lie about this situation and it’s not a big issue or big deal for the team.

“Of course all strikers need to feel the net and score but Harry always shows his commitment with the team and team-mates.

“I think during the game when they talked, when the goal happened, Harry said to Christian, ‘I touched with my right shoulder’ and after the game they were happy and Harry said ‘It was my goal’ and Christian said ‘Okay, no problem’.

“I promise it’s not a big deal. No one talked about it this week inside the club. I hope Harry and Christian can score Saturday and make everyone happy.

“For me, I don’t care who scores the goals. I care about the three points but it was a club decision to appeal.

“I wasn’t involved in this decision but I’m sure that Harry and Christian were agreed to do this.

“No one said to me what is going to happen and then for me it’s a dealing between them. If the club believe it was right to do the appeal, I have nothing to say from me.”

(c) Sky News 2018: Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane’s Stoke goal appeal ‘not a big deal’