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 Chicago White Sox Store .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Chicago White Sox Pro Shop . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. 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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- First-year Miami coach Mark Richt never talked to his team about qualifying for a bowl game with a victory at Virginia, figuring the Hurricanes had three games left to ensure a .500 record and a chance to play in the postseason.When Brad Kaaya threw two touchdown passes and Mark Walton ran for 111 yards and another score Saturday, leading Miami to a 34-14 victory against Virginia, and bowl eligibility, his players admitted to be delighted, and to wanting to keep the wins coming,Its awesome. Awesome, right guard Danny Isadora said. Got to keep winning.They did it for the first time at Virginia with a balanced attack that produced 222 rushing yards and 228 through the air.Kaaya hit David Njoku for a 7-yard score and Ahmmon Richards for a 77-yarder, the latter making Kaaya just the second quarterback to throw for more than 9,000 yards in his career at Miami (6-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). Only Ken Dorsey, with 9,565, has more.Richards touchdown, on a short third-down route, gave the Hurricanes a 27-14 lead, and the defense did the rest.It feels great, honestly, the freshman said of qualifying for the postseason. You work so hard and you want to have a payoff. Its a great way for our seniors to go out, but right now, were focusing on N.C. State.The Cavaliers (2-8, 1-5) honored fourth- and fifth-year seniors before their final home game, but lost their fifth in a row. Virginia trailed just 17-14 at halftime, but mustered only 28 yards in the third quarter as Miami pulled away.Virginia fumbled the ball away four times, all in the second half.Clearly Im not getting through yet to our team in those closer moments where the game is kind of going back and forth, first-year Cavaliers coach Bronco Mendenhall said.Waltons 15-yard run, capped as he arched his back to reach the end zone, essentially put the game away with 11:17 remaining.dddddddddddd. It gave the sophomore 21 touchdowns in 23 career games, and 11 touchdowns this season.I think the blocking was good, for the most part, but there were a few times where he was just ripping through tackles and just wasnt going to be denied a first down and kept a couple of drives going, Richt said.THE TAKEAWAYMiami: The Hurricanes reached bowl eligibility by getting stout performances on both sides of the ball. They rushed for 222 yards and passed for 228, and on defense sacked Virginia starting quarterback Kurt Benkert five times, including a strip sack by Corn Elder that Joe Jackson recovered.Virginia: Benkert continued to be restless under pressure and had another rough day. He completed 16 of 27 passed for 143 yards before being removed in the fourth quarter. The swap allowed former starter Matt Johns to finish, and he received a rousing ovation when he entered his final career home game.WHERE THERES SMOKEVirginias Taquan Smoke Mizzell caught three passes for 27 yards, and became the first player in ACC history to record 1,500 career rushing yards and 1,500 career receiving yards. He has 1,831 rushing yards (21st all-time at Virginia) and 1,517 receiving yards (13th).The milestone came on a pass from Johns in the fourth quarter.One of Johns goals when he got into the game, he said, was to get Smoke that record. Man, I love that dude. He plays so hard and he caught a couple passes and got the 10 yards that he needed. Hes one of the best football players Ill ever play with.UP NEXTMiami makes its first trip to Raleigh, North Carolina since 2008 to face North Carolina State.Virginia plays at Georgia Tech.---More AP college football: http://collegfootball.ap.org ' ' '