Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has praised his France teammate Paul Pogba for using his "warrior" mentality to overcome recent criticism of his form.
Pogba, who completed a world-record £89.5million transfer to Manchester United from Juventus this summer, was told by Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps that he "must do better" after the 23-year-old failed to impress in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role in the nation's 4-1 win World Cup qualifying win over Bulgaria on Friday.
Pogba reacted by putting in a man-of-the-match performance in France's subsequent game against the Netherlands on Monday and topped off his showing with the only goal in Amsterdam.
Lloris has praised the way Pogba handled criticism in his homeland over the weekend, and believes the United midfielder will continue improving on his way to becoming the best player in the world.
"He's a warrior in his mind," Lloris told ESPN. "That's the most important thing. Of course he's very talented but in football talent is not enough, and in his mind he's very strong, and very ambitious, so he's going to improve step by step and he will arrive at the level that he wants.
"Especially after his transfer record, there is a lot of expectation around him. But I think today he showed the perfect response. He helped the team to get the three points, he was decisive today and maybe he will give us confidence for the next few games."
Despite utilising Pogba next to Blaise Matuidi in a deeper midfield role in both of France's World Cup qualifiers over the past seven days, Deschamps admitted the position is not the 23-year-old's best - but insisted the Red Devils star has the ability to make it his own.
"He can and must do better," Deschamps said after the 4-1 win over Bulgaria.
"When he has a defensive role like that, that's not the best for him.
"This is more a construction part, protection as compared to the central hinge. He has everything to do it. He did some good things, some others less good.".
Victor Wanyama's late goal ended Tottenham Hotspur's five-match winless run with a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane to extend their London rivals' away-day woes.
Spurs had not tasted victory since the 4-0 win over Stoke City in April at the bet365 Stadium - the same ground where Palace last won on their travels in the league in December 2015.
But Wanyama marked his home debut in fine style with a close-range header to seal the points for Mauricio Pochettino's men.
Vincent Janssen made his first start for Tottenham, and he missed a number of great chances as he sought his maiden goal in English football.
Alan Pardew's visitors had won at White Hart Lane in the FA Cup last season, but rarely troubled Michel Vorm, standing in for injured captain Hugo Lloris, in the Spurs goal.
It appeared as if Palace would hold on for a point despite their lack of attacking threat, only for Wanyama to capitalise on some poor marking and settle the contest eight minutes from time.
The match came too soon for Pardew to call on club-record signing Christian Benteke, whose arrival was confirmed just hours before kick-off, but the visitors managed the first attempt on goal as Jason Puncheon saw an early thumping effort saved.
Spurs ramped up the pressure in response but were frustrated as Toby Alderweireld's powerful header and Harry Kane's angled drive both flew straight at Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
Another Tottenham chance went begging when Wanyama nodded over from a corner, but their best opening came in the 27th minute as Janssen was twice denied from close range by the scrambling Hennessey, having profited from the rebound of Kane's deflected strike.
Kane then flashed wide of the post late in a half in which Palace were lucky to survive having been second best for long periods.
England forward Kane had the first notable opportunity of the second period but only succeeded in steering Eric Dier's measured cross narrowly wide.
Palace went close to breaking the deadlock in the 61st minute as substitute Yohan Cabaye's first-time effort was deflected over.
Janssen then spectacularly missed after being sent through on goal, this time beating Hennessey but scuffing his shot way off target.
The Netherlands international saw another chance diverted behind after Dele Alli had fired over but Wanyama atoned for his team-mates' profligacy from the subsequent corner, flicking Kane's header into the net to clinch a first win of the season for Spurs.
It's time to start thinking about your Euro 2016 dream team - and here are the most popular selections.
With Euro 2016 kicking off this weekend it is time to start thinking about your fantasy team - if you haven't already!
Picking the right players at the right place is an art, but we've explored the most popular selections to give you a taste of who's picking who.
The most in demand man in football is evidently the most in demand man in the majority of Mirror Football fantasy teams as well with Paul Pogba in nearly half of everyone's teams with 46%
French team-mate Antoine Griezmann is second with 44% and two time Ballon D'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in third with 43%
Tottenham duo Dele Alli (34%) and Harry Kane (27%) are the only two English players to make the top twenty after their impressive displays and combination this season.
Hugo Lloris is the most popular goalkeeper with 25% ahead of Manuel Neuer, and new Bayern Munich Mats Hummels is the most sought after defender for all you aspiring managers in 30% of your teams. .
Germany and France both have five players in the top 20 making up half of the entire list! The two pre-tournament favourites are clearly everyone's best bet for accumulating points this summer.
Hugo Lloris believes Leicester deserve to beat Tottenham to the title if they did not drop any more points during the Premier League run-in.
Claudio Ranieri's side extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points by virtue of a 4-0 win against Swansea on Sunday and need just five more to secure the silverware.
Spurs, meanwhile, host West Brom at White Hart Lane tonight, and are refusing to give up on the chance to win their first title in 55 years.
Lloris is determined to continue to try to close the gap but has conceded the Foxes will be worthy winners if they do not falter in their last three games.
"It's not just up to us, but Leicester should drop points, if not then they deserve the trophy," Lloris told Sky Sports.
"The key is to be focused on ourselves. We know if we are consistent until the end we can be rewarded."
Although Leicester are on the verge of victory Lloris is adamant he and his teammates need to focus on themselves as such an unpredictable table Premier League season could yet have another twist.
"We are in a good position and situation and it is a great chance for us. So we need to carry on and we will see what happens at the end of the season.
"Nobody can guess what will happen," he added.
"We need to be consistent and not think about what is happening around us. We are strong together.
"We know where we want to be at the end and we try to work hard and prepare as well as possible.
"We are very motivated because we have a chance to do something great for the club," Lloris insisted.
Hugo Lloris believes mental toughness will ensure Tottenham keep their title challenge on track after Thursday’s heavy defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side conceded three goals for the first time this season at the Westfalenstadion and the Europa League loss means Spurs are now three games without a win. They travel to bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa on Sunday, looking to recover confidence and form in the league, where they currently sit second in the table, five points behind Leicester City.
“After a game like Dortmund you feel very far from the top teams in Europe,” Lloris said. “But I’m not worried about the weekend. I know we’re going to bounce back. It’s important to recover well for all the players who were on the pitch today, and we will all be ready for the game on Sunday which is maybe the most important.
“I know the quality, the skill, the mentality of the team. Dortmund is just the story of one game. Of course we can question ourselves a bit but not too much because the league is very important, we are in a good position and we need to do everything we can to stay in this position.”
In a clear indication of the importance he places on the league, Pochettino left Harry Kane and Mousa Dembélé on the bench against Dortmund, while Ryan Mason, Tom Carroll and the 18-year-old Josh Onomah were all handed starts. Lloris, however, would not be drawn on the starting lineup in Germany.
“This is a question for the manager,” said the France goalkeeper. “When you are a player you are always ready no matter which player, which team, which tactics, it’s just football and your mind is always ready to compete but after, at this level against a team like that, we need more. I want to play more games like tonight and for that you need to play Champions League.”
Dele Alli, who was suspended against Dortmund, and Danny Rose, who is nursing a sore calf and was left at home, could both return this weekend. Villa have won only once in their last eight league matches and are currently nine points adrift of safety.
Mason said: “Sunday is a massive game now for us. We haven’t won in our last two league games so hopefully we can get back to a win. It [the Dortmund defeat] is disappointing but there are characters in the squad that means Sunday won’t be a problem.”
In a dominant display, Dortmund had 20 shots to Tottenham’s three and the only surprise was that the German side did not win by a bigger margin. Marco Reus scored twice and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once to leave Spurs’ hopes of making the quarter-finals hanging by a thread.
“Obviously it was a difficult game,” Mason added. “They’re a top side, one of the best teams in Europe and I think you could see that. We couldn’t really get near them, we were outplayed and 3-0 was probably kind on our half. It was obviously disappointing, the manner of the defeat. We didn’t really get our style and philosophy across. We have to take it on the chin and accept it.”
30-year-old Marseille captain Steve Mandanda looks like he has the pick of Merseyside clubs with both Everton and Liverpool interested in the shotstopper.
That report comes from a whole host of newspapers in the UK including the Telegraph.
They report that the goalkeeper, who is out-of-contract at the end of the season 'is open to a move to the Premier League'.
Many Evertonians believe that a new goalkeeper should be a high priority for Roberto Martinez, with Tim Howard struggling for form.
Mandanda would fit the bill with over 300 appearances for Marseille in France and is second choice in the international set-up only to Tottenham's Hugo Lloris.
Without seeing more of him it's difficult to say if he would fit in at Goodison? He sounds like a perfect fit, what do you think?
Vital Everton is 100% interactive. Not only can you have your say on the articles and the forums but you can also write an article to be published on the website or a suggest a poll so you can air your views.
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has been erratic this season, while Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris is one of the best in the Premier League.
Danny Murphy suggested on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show on talkSPORT on Monday morning (December 21) that Liverpool need a player of the same class as Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Simon Mignolet is the first-choice Liverpool goalkeeper at the moment, while Adam Bogdan is his deputy.
"Let’s not beat around the bush," said former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Murphy. "Let’s not be diplomatic. Mignolet or Bogdan are not good enough.
"Lloris helped Tottenham get that win (against Southampton on Saturday) and I have seen that so many times. He is a fantastic goalkeeper who makes very good saves at the right time. Liverpool don’t have that."
Lloris is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and is arguably the only world-class player in the current Tottenham squad.
The France international has been in good form for Spurs so far this season and has played a key role in their challenge for a top-four finish in the league.
Former Tottenham forward Garth Crooks has been full of praise for Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli following yet another top quality performance against Southampton at the weekend, but has also warned that the youngster needs to keep his focus.
Putting together his Team of the Week for the BBC, Crooks commented on the "hard edge" that Spurs showed in brushing off the challenge of the Saints to push the recent defeat against Newcastle to back of their mind.
"This was epitomised by Dele Alli, who subjected himself to a crushing tackle from Jose Fonte in order to release Harry Kane on goal and open Tottenham's account," Crooks gushed.
"This kid Alli is a real talent. I just hope he doesn't lose himself to the 'fancy Dan' mentality that tends to accompany Tottenham players. If he and his colleagues can remain focused, they are top-four contenders."
Alli has been a revelation since joining the Tottenham first team this season and huge things are now expected of him. He's been a regular pick for Mauricio Pochettino, perhaps somewhat surprisingly so given his age and lack of experience, but he's already on course to go to Euro 2016 with England.
Crooks also picked fellow Spurs player Hugo Lloris among his XI for match-week 17 of the campaign. The French goalkeeper kept his first clean sheet of the month in the 2-0 win at St Mary's and Crooks thought he was "back to his best" after recent wobbles.
"Against Southampton he was back to his best, showing no signs of insecurity with a fine save from Sadio Mane," the pundit said of the Tottenham captain.
"But his save from James Ward-Prowse was so fantastic, even Jan Vertonghen gave him a hug to congratulate him. Good win - excellent clean sheet."
Spurs will need both players to be on top form over the Christmas period if the club is to firmly establish itself in the hunt for a Champions League place.
As Christmas Day and the new year approach, a number of sides will be revising their preseason targets -- and Tottenham should certainly be among them.
At the beginning of the campaign a top-four finish looked a big ask and manager Mauricio Pochettino and his players were loath to announce a specific goal, preferring to talk in vague terms about improving on last season and finishing as high as possible.
Now there is no escaping the fact that Spurs have a big opportunity to qualify for the Champions League, and to hide away from that would show a rather concerning lack of belief and ambition.
It could hardly be going much better for the north London outfit. They have got away with their gambles following an underwhelming end to the summer transfer window -- Eric Dier has proved to be an effective holding midfielder and Harry Kane has stayed fit while scoring 11 goals for his club.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's dramatic implosion has left the door to the Champions League wide open, and Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton are all struggling to maintain consistency. Indeed, all three teams lost at the weekend. Everton have the excuse that their 3-2 home defeat came against the surprise league leaders Leicester City, but Liverpool's 3-0 loss at Watford shows they are still finding their feet under Jurgen Klopp, and United's 2-1 reverse against another newly-promoted team, Norwich, at Old Trafford was a big upset.
Liverpool and Chelsea have already changed their managers this season and Louis van Gaal is now under real pressure at United after six games without a win, while Manuel Pellegrini's long-term future at Manchester City is in doubt after Pep Guardiola announced he will be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season.
The managerial changes and speculation suit Tottenham perfectly, given they are in a rare and valuable period of stability under Pochettino, and they will spend Christmas Day in fourth place.
The challenge now is to ensure they capitalise fully on the madness around them, and their rivals' weaknesses and distractions, because they may not get a better chance for a while. After all, their nearest challengers for a top-four spot, after Man United, are Crystal Palace, Watford and West Ham.
Just imagine if, after five years of being the frustrated nearly men and getting so close to a Champions League return -- particularly in 2012 and 2013 -- a new team gatecrashed the party and grabbed a place at Europe's top table, with all of the resulting financial benefits, and it wasn't Tottenham.
This season could prove to be a glorious success or a particularly bitter disappointment and the upcoming two games against Norwich and Watford -- who were both in the second tier last season -- give Spurs a big opportunity to go into 2016 dreaming of how high they could go, rather than fearing what they might miss out on.
Of course, it was Norwich's victory at Old Trafford on Saturday that allowed Tottenham to leapfrog United into the top four. Now Pochettino and his players must ensure they don't return the favour and suffer their own slip-up against Alex Neil's men at White Hart Lane on Boxing Day, especially as Spurs lost their last home game against a Newcastle side who, like Norwich, are lying in the bottom five places.
Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham can edge closer to a Champions League spot with a successful festive period, starting on Boxing Day vs. Norwich.
Kane has described that defeat as "a kick up the [backside] that we probably needed" and, on the surface, Saturday's 2-0 victory at Southampton suggested the lesson has been learned as the north Londoners secured their first win in four league games.
However, anyone who watched the first half hour at St Mary's may well have been a little alarmed. Spurs were lucky to be level when Kane broke the deadlock with his fine solo goal in the 40th minute. And, while Tottenham supporters will rightly praise the striker's positivity and skill and hail Kyle Walker and Dele Alli for the second goal that promptly followed, Southampton fans will justifiably lament their side's defending and argue that both goals were entirely avoidable.
Spurs may be in the top four, and their season may hold great promise, but they have lacked creativity in a number of league games recently and have not been at their fluid, incisive best in the top flight since the impressive 4-1 home win over West Ham a month ago, on Nov. 22.
They will certainly need to make a quicker start on Boxing Day than they did at Southampton because Norwich have been awkward visitors for most of the top-half teams this season. In addition to their latest success at Old Trafford, they have earned draws at Liverpool (1-1), West Ham (2-2) and Everton (1-1), and they were only beaten by one goal in their defeats at Chelsea (1-0) and Manchester City (2-1).
This is therefore a key test of whether Spurs are better equipped than their rivals, and whether they can maintain their place in the top four over the coming weeks and months.
Tottenham beat Southampton 2-0 on Saturday, earning praise from Garth Crooks in the process.
Pundit Garth Crooks has told BBC Sport that he has been concerned about Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, whilst praising Dele Alli.
After a shock home defeat to Newcastle United last weekend, Spurs bounced back with an impressive, comfortable win over Southampton on Saturday.
Goals from Harry Kane and Dele Alli handed Spurs all three points, taking them into fourth place in the Premier League table, with Mauricio Pochettino's men recovering from that Newcastle loss in real style.
The result handed goalkeeper Lloris and midfielder Alli a place in Garth Crooks' Team of the Week on BBC Sport, with the ex-Tottenham striker analysing his former club.
Crooks was hugely impressed with the performance of French goalkeeper Lloris, but admitted that he has been concerned with his displays of late, blaming him for a number of goals recently conceded by Tottenham.
"I have always had an enormous regard for Hugo Lloris but I have had some concerns recently," said Crooks. "Against Arsenal I held him responsible for their equaliser and again, against Newcastle, Thierry Henry spotted - and quite rightly - that Lloris had difficulty staying upright when under siege in the six-yard area."
"However, against Southampton he was back to his best showing no signs of insecurity with a fine save from Sadio Mane. But his save from James Ward-Prowse was so fantastic, even Jan Vertonghen gave him a hug to congratulate him. Good win - excellent clean sheet," he continued.
Crooks also raved about teenage wonderkid Alli, whose goal against Southampton was his fourth of a remarkable Premier League campaign.
The former MK Dons star has become an England international already this term, and Crooks hopes he keeps the same hard-working mentality, suggesting that Tottenham can qualify for the Champions League if their players remain focused.
