Pochettino hails Hakimi after match-winning performance against Metz

The fullback scored the opener just five minutes into the match.

Mbappe

missed three clear chances, while Icardi went close before seeing the scoreline equalized in the 39th-minute by

Kouyate

.

After a chaotic second-half, Hakimi completed his brace in the 95th-minute to 

.

"I am indeed happy with him, he's a great guy, he's a player who's really bringing a lot to us, not just the goals, but also his capacity on the sideline to play both defensively and offensively," 

Pochettino

told his post-match news conference.

"I am very happy with him, and today, scoring goals, it's been an important reward for the team and for him."

Achraf Hakimi has now been involved in 13 league goals in 2021 (six goals and seven assists), better than any defender in the top five European competitions.

Pochettino added: 

"Can I tell an anecdote on Hakimi? Yesterday [Tuesday], after the training, I asked him: 'How are you?' And he said: 'Very well, very well'. And then he replied: 'And you coach? How are you?'

"I was surprised by the question. 'Because no one ever asks you!'. 'You ask everyone, but no one ever asks you'. And look, today he scored goals. That's the reward for having good intentions."

Heaping praise on PSG star 

Neymar

, who set up Hakimi's stoppage-time winner, the Argentine coach added: 

"I am very happy with Ney and with his contribution to the team.

"For his attitude and mindset. I am very happy. What I believe is that creative players, players who the whole world hopes they show magic with every touch, those players spend extra energy that other players don't have.

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