Hugo Lloris expressed relief that Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United at Old Trafford after a buildup made more difficult by the captain’s drink-driving charge.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team defeated United 3-0 on Monday thanks to a second-half Harry Kane header and two Lucas Moura goals. Lloris pointed to how his charge on Friday had not been ideal.

“It was a tough week especially because of my mistake but I think the team showed they are strong,” the goalkeeper said. “There are always some key moments in the season and I think this game came at the perfect time.

“We showed again the togetherness and made a great game against United. It is always a big challenge to come to Old Trafford to face United and this time we got the result that we wanted.”

Harry Kane believes the win has laid down a marker regarding Tottenham’s title challenge. It was Tottenham’s first at Old Trafford under Mauricio Pochettino and gives them a maximum nine points from three games, placing them second to Liverpool on goal difference.

Kane, asked whether it was a statement of intent, said: “Yeah, 100%. We’ve maybe fallen behind at the start of the season the last few years, so we have to stay up there from the very start. The only way to do that is to come here and win, and all the other big games as well. A great start for us. We’re not getting too carried away, of course. It’s only three games in but that’s what we needed.”

The forward said he is unfazed by Spurs having bought no one in the summer. “The gaffer said he’s not just going to bring in players for the sake of it. What that does is it gives the rest of the squad huge belief because it shows he has belief in us, so now we have to repay him for that and repay the club for that.

“Lucas is one of them that some fans might have thought: ‘Is he going to stay, is he going to go?’ He’s stayed, and he’s worked hard and he’s done well.”