Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham Hotspur handled the pressure "superbly" as they beat AZ Alkmaar 3-1 (3-2 on aggregate) to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
It was billed as a season-defining and job-defining match, with Spurs struggling in 13th in the Premier League and the Australian under ever-increasing scrutiny.
However, two goals from Wilson Odobert and a James Maddison strike meant Spurs are in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2013, where they will face German side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Odobert scored his first goal for the club 27 minutes in to kickstart proceedings before Maddison in the second half — and the Frenchman again late on — overturned their first leg deficit.
A strike from AZ's Peer Koopmeiners did disrupt proceedings midway through the second period, but Postecoglou believes they coped with the pressure throughout the match brilliantly.
"I think the way we handled it [the pressure] tonight was important. As much as you try to block out the outside noise, and it doesn’t bother me, but I am sure the players and the whole club were aware tonight was a big night for us," he said post-match.
"When you are already 1-0 down, you can get really anxious about it but I never felt that. They looked strong, dominant, aggressive and threatening in the final third.
"It's all the things we want to be. I couldn’t be happier with the way the players tackled it and it’s a credit to them."
The former Celtic manager has heavily defended his players from criticism in recent months, and he believes they showed what they can be like against the Eredivisie side.
"Well it's no coincidence. We're getting some of our key players back and of course we are [looking like ourselves]," he outlined. "We've got guys who are getting decent recovery between games and we can change the team a fair bit."
Postecoglou delighted for Odobert
Odobert has had a challenging start to life at Spurs. After arriving from relegated Burnley in the summer, he suffered two serious injuries which kept him unavailable for 34 matches between September and February.
The 20-year-old scored his first two goals for the club tonight and is finally starting to find form after a run of matches. His first – in the 27th minute – was a confident finish in the bottom right corner, whilst his winner late on showcased his attacking positioning to find space at the back post.
The Frenchman was electric all night, and that pleased a delighted Postecoglou post-match, who has always known what the winger was capable of.
"Super pleased for him because he's worked awfully hard. I was excited when we signed him. He's one of these players who has the ability to take players on and find space," he answered.
"He's a great technician and super pleased for him to get his goals. He's worked hard silently to get back in the team. He came to a new club, a big club, and it didn't work out for him through his injury.
"It's been frustrating for me not to be able to showcase him and know how much he can develop. That's just the starting point for him."
Odobert, 20, was not the only youngster to impress for Spurs. 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall also shone in the middle of the park, even if he was at fault for AZ's goal for a lack of communication. Postecoglou reiterated once again how important these youngsters are for Spurs.
"Brilliant for us. Brilliant for the club. We've got some really exciting talent. Lucas is growing all the time and people are getting a glimpse of what Wilson's all about," he said.
"It's a shame what's happened to him this year [injury], and he's still working his way from fitness. I just thought the whole group handled it [the occasion] really well."