Small Talk » purpose yards and four touchdowns, including a 73

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 College Jerseys Outlet . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Fake College Jerseys . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. https://www.ncaajerseys2020.com/ .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. Wholesale NCAA Jerseys . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. Cheap College Jerseys 2020 . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. (STATS) -- As FCS juggernaut North Dakota State continues to find a way to beat nearly every team and challenge that stands in its way, another national title probably seems like a foregone conclusion.But the challenge will get tougher. Theres great pressure when the feeling of a national title or bust is hanging in the air.In last weeks STATS national rankings, the top-ranked Bison have defeated nine of the next 11 teams since the start of the 2014 season, and the only reason Chattanooga and James Madison probably arent included on the Bison hit list is that they hadnt played them. The Bison are an absurd 74-5 since beginning their run of five straight national championship seasons in 2011.Tomorrow isnt promised. Remember that this time last year, nobody suspected a home loss would occur against South Dakota or that a potentially crippling injury like the one suffered by then-quarterback Carson Wentz would threaten the season as well. A lot can go wrong just as so much goes right.The Bison play in the strongest FCS conference -- the Missouri Valley -- and their rivals know how to play them better than Charleston Southern, Eastern Washington and Iowa. That may be overlooked after a murderers row of a nonconference schedule, but coach Chris Kliemans team faces a number of physical, tough games ahead.Northern Iowa woke up today believing it will beat the Bison next month. Western Illinois must think it has a shot. Illinois State, well, the Redbirds are two-time defending conference co-champs as well and are up next on Oct. 1.Over the long regular season, NDSU appears to be the best team again. But the FCS playoffs dont provide a second chance and the Bison can be beaten in a one-game situation. An opposing team just has to find the right day against the greatest dynasty in FCS history.---=SECOND AND 10=Ten more observations from the FCS weekend:1.) After having FCS co-games of the week, co-teams of the week make sense. What Stony Brook did to No. 2 Richmond -- posting a 42-14 win -- was even more surprising than No. 1 North Dakota States 23-21 upset at No. 13 Iowa. Offense has been at a premium at Stony Brook, but quarterback Joe Carbone, running back Stacey Bedell and wide receiver Ray Bolen provided excellent balance. NDSU was the more physical team than the Hawkeyes -- posting a 239-34 advantage in rushing yards -- to push its amazing FBS win streak to six.2.) With Richmonds loss, Sam Houston State appears poised to move up one spot to No. 2 following a 44-31 road victory over Lamar in the Southland Conference. But consider Jacksonville State, which was fourth last week, thrashed Sam Houston 62-10 in last years national semifinals. And Eastern Washington, which was too low at No. 8 last week, has wins over Washington State and Northern Iowa and only an overtime loss to North Dakota State. Clearly, the debate over No. 2 is strong.3.) Terrific decision by the Eastern Washington coaches in the Big Sky teams 34-30 win against No. 10 Northern Iowa. Sophomore Gage Gubrud was all-world in the Eagles first two games (60 of 80, 924 yards, nine touchdowns), but he simply didnt have it during the home opener and they went to Reilly Hennessey in the second half. The redshirt sophomore completed 21 of 29 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner on a fake field goal in the final minute.4.) Ivy League teams opened their season to a rousing 5-3 start. Dartmouth rallied to a 22-21 win over No. 22 New Hampshire, ending a streak of 13 straight losses and 20 games without a win (18 losses, two ties) against its intrastate rival. Harvard routed Rhode Island 51-21 and two of the three 2015 champs won, with Penn lacking defensive answers in a 49-28 loss to Lehigh.dddddddddddd Brown, Princeton and Cornell also earned victories.5.) Taking the Ivy League out of the equation, 14 teams are unbeaten through two or three games. Six of them -- Albany (CAA), East Tennessee State (Southern), Georgetown (Patriot), Missouri State (Missouri Valley), Tennessee State (Ohio Valley) and Wagner (Northeast) -- are coming off losing seasons.6.) Speaking of East Tennessee State, the Buccaneers averaged 7,128 at home games when they returned to football last year after a 12-year hiatus, so drawing a school-record 13,863 to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Western Carolina matchup was significant. Even better for the Bucs (2-0), they gained a 34-31 Southern Conference win. Coach Carl Torbush continued to watch the maturation of sophomore QB Austin Herink, who threw for three touchdowns.7.) An FCS team has scored at least 80 points in each of the first three full weeks of the season. James Madison beat Morehead State 80-7, Fordham ripped Division II Elizabeth City State 83-21 and UT Martin became the latest in destroying NAIA Bacone 84-6 even though the second half was shortened to two 10-minute quarters. Last year, the FCS season high was Southern Illinois 73 points against Missouri State.8.) Eight FCS teams have beaten FBS programs, but South Carolina State isnt one of them despite having three attempts this season. Coach Buddy Poughs MEAC power was shut out by UCF and Clemson and fell to Louisiana Tech by a combined 150-24. Everybody has dreams of an upset, but financially strapped athletic programs, especially those from the historically black schools, are usually only scheduling losses.9.) As good as Saturdays action was in the FCS, dont overlook that the week opened Thursday night with Arkansas-Pine Bluff stunning Alcorn State 45-43 in two overtimes. UAPB went 2-9 overall and 1-8 in the SWAC last season and was coming off a loss to Division II Panhandle State, but two-time defending conference champ Alcorn State got caught overlooking the Golden Lions. The Braves surrendered less than 92 passing yards per game last year, yet Brandon Duncan riddled them for an FCS-season high 505 yards as well as four touchdowns. In the second OT, he had a game-tying 25-yard TD to Willie Young and then connected with John Hawkins for a winning two-point conversion.10.) The ultimate weapon in the FCS might be one of the smallest. Southern fifth-year senior Willie Quinn was at it again in a 64-6 trouncing of Alabama State, totaling 290 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, including a 73-yard punt return which gave him 10 TD returns in his career. Oh yes, the 5-foot-5 dynamo, the FCS leader in all-purpose yards, also threw a 30-yard touchdown.---=A LOOK AHEAD=Conference games begin to dominate the FCS schedule next weekend, although only four of the 10 teams in Missouri Valley Conference are in action.The Big Sky schedule gets rolling with marquee games: Eastern Washington at Northern Arizona, Montana at Cal Poly and Portland State at defending champion Southern Utah.Dayton visits San Diego in a matchup of the last years Pioneer Football League co-champs, while Alcorn State faces a must-win at Grambling State in a rematch of the 2015 SWAC Championship Game. Also, Samford is at Chattanooga in a key Southern Conference game and Harvard puts a 15-game road winning streak on the line at Ivy League rival Brown.The nonconference headliners are Jacksonville State at Liberty and Colgate at Richmond. Also, as FCS-FBS matchups continue to dwindle, Western Illinois heads to Northern Illinois and Central Arkansas visits Arkansas State. ' ' '