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An hour after Tottenham's dramatic late win over West Ham, there was a knock on Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino’s office door.

It was 20-year-old Harry Winks, whose goal on his full Premier League debut had just helped the North Londoners to their first win in eight games.

The talented midfielder – another of their own at White Hart Lane – wanted to express his gratitude at being given a chance.

Winks had already received an improved, five-year deal in September, as a reward for his hard work in progressing to the fringes of the first team.

And he fully justified his inclusion on Saturday, with the opening goal and a display of maturity that could yet earn him a run in the side.

Manager Pochettino, very much a father figure to his young side, was touched.

He had already enjoyed Winks’ run to the touchline to celebrate his close-range effort with him.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters) (Image: Getty) (Image: Getty)

What a job the Argentinian is doing, with his emphasis on providing a pathway for Tottenham’s academy stars to reach the first team.

He joked: “I wait for all the players at the end to give a big hug. Every one.

“To be honest, I found him, he didn’t find me, but it’s true I put a lot of pressure on my players in the changing room. I like my hugs!

“We have been working with Harry for a long time. You try to give the opportunities to the players when you feel that.

“There were many signs he gave us to say that, ‘I am ready, Gaffer. I am ready’. Now, it is up to him. It is very difficult to get in the first team. Now I think it is more, more difficult to keep your position in the first team.

“We can see a lot of examples. Now it is up to him. I liked it a lot when he came after in the changing room to say thank you to all of us, to the coaches.

“The show was fantastic for all, for the people who work in the academy. He said to us only that is the start. I said, ‘Come on, now, this is a big challenge’. He said, ‘Yes, now I need to work hard, but to try to show that I deserve to play’. That is the mentality we want.

“It is true he needs to be happy now and enjoy the moment, but he needs to know that all that comes in the future will be difficult. Because to keep that level is the most difficult thing.”

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Winks will remember his first-ever Premier League goal all the more because a victory was desperately needed after Spurs’ run of seven games without a win in all competitions.

They also fought back impressively against a West Ham side showing signs of resurgence after a disappointing start to the season.

Michail Antonio scored for the Hammers in the first half. Winks responded shortly after the break.

Manuel Lanzini’s controversial penalty looked to have sealed the points for Slaven Bilic’s side before Harry Kane did what he does best with two late goals.

(Image: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty) (Image: Getty) (Image: Getty)

Victory provided the perfect boost ahead of a must-win Champions League tie in Monaco on Tuesday. The French League leaders are currently undefeated at home this season.

Pochettino added: “After seven games, that was difficult to win.

“For the players, that victory was very important. And it was emotional — the celebrations after the goal with Harry and again at the end.

“The stress or the adrenaline is high and it’s a relief.”

HARRY WHO? YOUR BLUFFER'S GUIDE TO SPURS STARLET WINKS

* The 20-year-old joined Tottenham when he was eight.

* Made his debut as a sub in the 1-0 Europa League group stage win over Partizan Belgrade in November 2014.

* Made Prem debut as a substitute against Liverpool in August.

* A boyhood Spurs fan, who was born in Hemel Hempstead and went to school in Tring, Winks has also moved through the age groups in the England set-up and made his Under-21 international debut this month.