Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou hopes first goal since March will 'lift' Timo Werner after win over Man City in EFL Cup

Ange Postecoglou believes Timo Werner should feel a little less anxious after ending his near eight-month goal drought.

The striker had not scored in 18 appearances, stretching back to March 10, before Tottenham's EFL Cup last-16 clash with Manchester City.

However, he was on target in a 2-1 victory that saw Spurs book a quarter-final clash with Manchester United.

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The goal will come as a big relief to the German international, and Postecoglou hopes it lifts some of the pressure off his shoulders.

"It was a great goal and it's great for Timo," he told Sky Sports. "He's obviously been going through a tough time. For him to score was fantastic.

"The build-up play was great and it was kind of the team that we want to be. We couldn't do it all night, tonight, because the opponent doesn't always allow you.

"It should lift him. We're kind of supporting him, but ultimately, with all these things, it's down to him and his approach to things.

"With attacking players, obviously if they don't score, they feel that anxiety a little bit. Hopefully tonight's goal helps him with that."

Spurs were looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the weekend.

They named a strong starting XI for the game, and were rewarded by going ahead through Werner's fifth minute strike.

Pape Matar Sarr then doubled the advantage midway through the first half, and although Matheus Nunes pulled one back seconds before the break, City could not find a second.

Postecoglou, who admits the victory could have been more comfortable for his side, was delighted with their performance.

"It's a cup tie, you're playing against a pretty formidable opponent and you have to do a bit of everything," he continued. "I thought we did that really well for the most part.

"We had to defend, which I think we did well. We didn't give them too many clear-cut chances.

"We certainly had a few ourselves, we could have put the game away, but City are always going to push you and push you.

"The most important thing for us was, in an important cup tie, we got a victory."

The Spurs boss would not be drawn on whether the result was a turning point for his side though.

It has been a sticky start to the season for the North London club, who have lost four of their last seven Premier League outings.

"I don't believe in big moments," Postecoglou said. "I don't believe in catastrophic moments. We're the same team that we were three days ago.

"We're a side that's growing, developing and hopefully we've got more good days ahead of us.

"It's an ever-evolving sort of process. This team, I believe, is growing all the time. When you have growth, sometimes you're going to stumble, and we've had our stumbles, it's fair to say.

"We've always bounced back and as disappointed as we were on Sunday, I had great belief and confidence that we'd come out today and put up a good show against a pretty strong opponent."

Frustrated Pep praises 'exceptional' City

Defeat for Manchester City, meanwhile, was their first of the season and manager Pep Guardiola was reluctant to criticise his side.

The Spaniard has made a habit of winning the EFL Cup since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium.

But he named a much-changed starting XI, leaving the likes of Erling Haaland on the bench.

"Exceptional performance," he said. "In terms of injuries and other issues, we were exceptional.

"The young players played really, really good, the seniors as well against an incredible, top side. The transitions, they are so fast, really, really good, so I am really pleased for the way we played."

Even when chasing the tie, Guardiola refused to bring Haaland off the bench.

To make matters worse, he saw Savinho stretched off during the match, while Manuel Akanji, originally named in the starting XI, pulled up injured during the warm-up.

"It is what it is," the frustrated manager added. "It's normal. So many years playing for eleven months, the limit of the players is there. I understand it.

"We have no recovery, not much players and I didn't want to waste energy for him."

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