Christian Eriksen needs goals to stay at his peak, says Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino believes goals are the key to Christian Eriksen maintaining good form and says he will continue to be patient with the match-winning midfielder.

The Dane scored twice, his first goals in the Premier League since October, in a 4-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

Eriksen has struggled to recapture his best this season, but Pochettino says he must be allowed to have low periods during the course of a season due to his age.

The Spurs boss said: "It was very important that he scored today. He is very talented; one of the best players we have. 

"But we need to understand that he is still very young, only 23. We need to give him some time and the opportunity to have ups and downs in different periods during his career, and during the season. 

"I am very pleased for him. He and the squad are very happy, and they are very happy for him. It was a good afternoon for him and for all the squad. 

"All the players want to score and help the team to achieve things, and I think our mentality is strong in this way."

Eriksen cancelled out Patrick van Aanholt's opener for Sunderland as Spurs came from behind to win, with Mousa Dembele and Harry Kane adding to Eriksen's second.

After a damaging home defeat to Leicester in midweek, Pochettino added: "This was a very important victory. 

"It was a good reaction. We have shown a good performance in the last few games, with different results, but it was a great effort from the team and the squad, and very important to take three points."