The Argentinean congratulated Pep Guardiola’s team after their 3-1 victory and discussed the penalty which put the visitors two goals ahead

Mauricio Pochettino congratulated Manchester City after they moved a step closer to claiming the Premier League title with a 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur this evening.

Pep Guardiola’s team outclassed Spurs as goals from Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling earned the champions-elect a deserved three points at Wembley Stadium.

Christian Eriksen pulled one back for the Lilywhites on the stroke of half time to make it 2-1, but Pochettino was left to reflect on a disastrous opening 25 minutes where Tottenham couldn’t cope with the visitors and found themselves two behind.

He said: “First of all I think we started the game really, really, really bad and we didn’t play for 25 minutes and we conceded two goals.

“And of course, against a team like Manchester City, who have showed they are the best in the Premier League, it makes it easy for them.

“Then we started to compete, at 2-0 down and we scored to make it 2-1 and started the second half really well, but Manchester City after 90 minutes were better.

“We congratulate them because they are very close to winning the Premier League and after 14 games unbeaten for us, today was a difficult game to play.

“I think we missed the first 25 minutes and we never found a way to compete in the first half.”

A key incident occurred in the 24th minute with City leading 1-0, as Spurs gave the ball away and the visitors broke and Sterling was played in on the left.

The England winger was involved in a footrace with Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and the France captain lost out.

Spurs’ captain caught Sterling and referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot which gave Gundogan the chance to make it 2-0 and he duly obliged with 25 on the clock.

Replays suggested the initial contact between Lloris and City’s impressive attacker was just outside the penalty area, but the Tottenham manager refused to use it as an excuse after the 3-1 loss.

Pochettino added: “The most important thing is to accept sometimes during the whole season it will go for you and sometimes it will go against you, so I will not complain.

“We lost the game because Manchester City were better and I think that situation maybe it wasn’t a penalty. I will have to watch it again on TV, but the referee can make a mistake like the first half where we made a mistake, so I am not going to complain.

“I am happy with the way we behaved. Sometimes it goes for you, but we have to accept this is the game.”