Mauricio Pochettino hopes that Sam Gallagher’s first ever Premier League goal will help the teenage striker through a difficult period in his life, after tragedy struck his family last month.

The 18-year-old lost his father in early February, and had been given time off by the club to grieve.

He returned to the fold a few weeks ago, and he made a major contribution on Saturday, netting deep into injury time to ease the nerves that had crept in at St Mary’s.

Pochettino said: “We all know what Sam has been going through. He has been going through a really tough time.

“It [his goal] doesn’t change his situation, but it will go a long way to making him happy, and his surroundings, and his family – everyone around him that wishes the best for him. It will be a good thing for him.”