Mauricio Pochettino rues Tottenham's 'cruel' Champions League defeat to Inter Milan

Mauricio Pochettino bemoaned the "cruel" nature in which Tottenham lost their Champions League opener after a 2-1 defeat to Inter Milan at the San Siro.

Christian Eriksen had given the away side the lead after his deflected effort looped over Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic shortly after half time.

But a stunning volley from Mauro Icardi levelled the game with five minutes left and Matias Vecino's stoppage-time header snatched all three points for the Italian side.

Pochettino's side had looked comfortable having gone a goal up and the Argentinian coach believes the result was not what his team deserved.

"I am happy with the performance," he told BT Sport. "The performance was so good. We dominated but of course it's so cruel.

"For me is was the best performance that we've had from the beginning of the season.

"It's annoying. I think the players deserved more. Before the first goal we had the game under control. After we conceded the goal, anything can happen in a place like San Siro."

It marks the first time in Pochettino's reign that Tottenham have lost three consecutive games in all competitions, after the respective 2-1 defeats to Watford and Liverpool.

Spurs host Barcelona in their next Champions League fixture at Wembley on October 3, with the knowledge that another defeat could put their qualification hopes in doubt.