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Erik Lamela endured a difficult start to life in the Premier League, but he has become a talismanic figure in Tottenhams transformation under Mauricio Pochettino. After his starring role in Sundays 3-0 win over Manchester United, we examine his improvement… It was in the middle of September that Mauricio Pochettino laid down the gauntlet to Erik Lamela. The club-record £25m signing had struggled to live up to his billing in his first two years in the Premier League, and time was running out for him to prove himself in north London.I think this is a key season for him, said Pochettino. After two seasons at Tottenham, now is the moment for him. Not to put pressure, but its true. Its a key moment for him to develop and to move on his game. Its important. Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino hailed a perfect performance by his players in their 3-0 win against Manchester United Two days later Lamela scored only his seventh goal in 68 appearances for Spurs in a Europa League tie with Qarabag, and hasnt looked back since. A player who once drifted absently through games has become a snarling embodiment of Tottenhams fighting spirit under Pochettino - and his talent is shining through, too. Lamelas goal record Erik Lamela has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season - twice as many as in the whole of the 2014/15 campaign. His blend of tough-tackling and technical quality has made him a crucial figure for Spurs, and those attributes were more apparent than ever in his man-of-the-match display against Manchester United on Super Sunday. The Lamela of old might have hidden away after his glaring miss from Christian Eriksens cross in the first half, but instead he came back stronger. Erik Lamela celebrates after scoring Tottenhams third goal In the frantic six-minute spell in which Tottenham destroyed United in the second half, Lamela was a key figure in every goal. For the opener, his persistence won possession to launch the move that ended with Dele Alli converting Eriksens smart delivery. And after producing the free kick for Toby Alderweirelds headed second, his crisp finish from Danny Roses cross made it three.Lamelas all-action approach typified Tottenhams breathless intensity, and he set up further scoring chances for Harry Kane and Kyle Walker as the hosts continued to pour forward in the closing stages. His impact has not been lost on Spurs supporters, and when he was replaced by Nacer Chadli in the 87th minute, the standing ovation that followed was no surprise.The statistics highlighted his outstanding all-round contribution. Lamela made more tackles (nine) and won more duels (12) than anyone else at White Hart Lane, and he ranked top for shots on goal with three. At the time of his withdrawal, the Argentine had also ran further (11.29km) and made more sprints (64) than any other player. Tottenham kept their faint hopes of winning the league alive after they hammered Manchester United 3-0 at White Hart Lane The numbers will make pleasing reading for Pochettino when he reflects on the game at Tottenhams Enfield training ground this week, and the head coach deserves immense credit for overseeing such a dramatic improvement from his countryman. Breaking the hoodoo This was Tottenhams first win over Manchester United at White Hart Lane since May 2001, ending a run of 14 home games without a win against the Red Devils. Hes been very patient with him and obviously the Argentinian link has helped Erik, former Tottenham captain Ledley King told Sky Sports. Weve seen a big improvement from him this season, and its not just his goals, its his assists and work-rate. He looks stronger, and the managers got a big part to play in that.Lamela was not the first player to struggle with the adaption from Serie A to Premier League when he arrived from Roma in 2013, but after minimal improvement in his first two seasons, it must have been tempting for both parties to cut their losses. For Pochettino and Lamela, however, persistence has paid off. Poch praises perfect Spurs Mauricio Pochettino praised Tottenhams perfect performance at White Hart Lane. Hes got the pace of the Premier League now, added King. When he first came he probably thought hed get more time on the ball but he quickly had to realise that you dont get it in the Premier League. His game has quickened up and hes got stronger as a player. Weve seen a big improvement from him this season, and its not just his goals, its his assists and work-rate. He looks stronger, and the managers got a big part to play in that. Ledley King on Erik Lamela King was not alone in praising Tottenhams No 11, with Graeme Souness highlighting his role in the first goal as evidence of his improvement. Hes a tough-tackling wide player now, he said. You see it for the first goal. Its a never-say-die attitude. Hes on the ground still trying to win the ball back for his team.That never-say-die attitude might not be enough to overhaul Leicester in the final five games of the Premier League season, but for transformed Tottenham and the talismanic Lamela, the future looks very bright. Also See: Poch praises perfect Spurs Spurs keep title chase alive Wholesale Custom Knicks Shirts . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Tracy McGrady Jersey Large . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. http://www.customknicksjersey.com/custom-walt-frazier-jersey-large-169w.html . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. Custom Mark Jackson Jersey . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Custom Allan Houston Jersey . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Tuesday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. A full Olympic Digest will be sent. All times EDT:- RIO DE JANEIRO -- Medals for the womens 1,500 meters and mens 110-meter hurdles are up for grabs on Day 5 of track and field, which also features once-banned Russian long jumper Darya Klishina. Bolts 200-meter heat starts not before 12:30 p.m.; womens 1,500 at 10:30 p.m.- RIO DE JANEIRO -- Simone Biles can become the fourth female gymnast to win four golds in one Olympics with a victory in the floor exercise final. Her biggest competition will come from 2012 Olympic floor champion Aly Raisman. The mens high bar and parallel bar medals will also be awarded. Event starts 2 p.m.- CHICAGO -- Trevor Cahill (1-3, 3.07) returns from the disabled list and makes his first start since April 26, 2015, in Game 1 of the Chicago Cubs day-night doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers. Matt Garza (4-4, 4.83) opposes Cahill in Game 1, then Chicago right-hander Jason Hammel (12-5, 2.90) faces righty Chase Anderson (7-10, 4.93) in the nightcap. Games start 1:20 p.m. and 8:05 p.m.- BALTIMORE -- The Orioles and Red Sox open a two-game series at Camden Yards, where Baltimore owns a major-league best 39-17 record and Boston is playing its third game in three cities over three days. Bostons Eduardo Rodriguez (2-5, 5.43 ERA) tries to build on his resurgence since returning from a demotion to Triple-A when he faces Baltimore right-handder Yovani Gallardo (4-4, 5.dddddddddddd17) Game starts 7:05 p.m.- SAN FRANCISCO -- Pirates rookie right-hander Jameson Taillon (3-2, 2.85 ERA) follows up a dominant outing against San Diego when he pitches against the NL West-leading Giants. Samardzija (10-8, 4.23) is up for San Francisco, coming off 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Miami. Game starts 10:15 p.m.- In 1966 Notre Dame and Michigan State played a Game of the Century that still holds up. It produced a memorably unsatisfying result and led to a vote in the AP poll that is still debated. College football in the 1960s began with an AP title by Minnesota and ended with a Texas title, the last by an all-white team. In between, there was Bear Bryants Alabama Crimson Tide. Eds: Part of a series.- Various stories from NFL training camps.- MASON, Oho -- Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray gets started at the Western & Southern Open, which is missing both defending champions with Serena Wililams and Roger Federer sitting out because of injuries.- RIO DE JANEIRO -- Fresh off his Olympic silver medal, Juan Martin del Potro will return to the U.S. Open for the first time in three years after receiving a wild-card invitation from the U.S. Tennis Association.- BOSTON -- Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez is due in court for a hearing in the double murder case against him. Hearing starts 2 p.m. ' ' '