Mauricio Pochettino has hailed Harry Winks for his excellent performance when faced with a ‘massive challenge’ as Tottenham came from behind to keep their Champions League hopes alive against PSV Eindhoven.

Having themselves lost a lead late on in Eindhoven two weeks ago. Spurs needed a win to stand any chance of progressing from the group stages this season.

After Luuk de Jong headed Mark van Bommel’s side in front with just 61 seconds on the clock, it took until the 78th minute for Harry Kane to level things up before an 89th minute own goal secured all three points for Spurs.

With Pochettino naming an attacking side, Winks, who has played every minute of Tottenham’s three games in the last six days, was left to string the midfield together on his own, and he did so superbly.

“I think was very good, so happy with him,” Pochettino said of Winks, who completed the most passes of any Tottenham player only misplacing seven per cent of those he made in PSV territory.

“He is playing a lot, played the last three games 90 minutes," Pochettino continued. "The only way to grow is playing games, making mistakes and live the experience.

“I am so happy with him, today was to play alone like a holding midfielder with Christian [Eriksen] and Dele Alli next to him was a massive challenge and I think his performance was very, very good. It was excellent.”

With Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele still sidelined, Winks will need to be ready to go once more when Spurs visit Crystal Palace in Saturday’s evening fixture.