Mauricio Pochettino has blamed jetlag and hot conditions in Spain for Tottenham Hotspur's 4-1 defeat to Girona on Saturday.

Having enjoyed a fruitful tour of the United States, suffering only a defeat to Barcelona on penalties, Spurs headed to Spain still without a number of their World Cup stars.

Lucas Moura gave Tottenham the lead, but the Catalans took charge thereafter and recorded a comprehensive win over the North Londoners.

"I am so happy because at the end it's a lot of positive things," Pochettino told Sky Sports News.

"We cannot see only the result - there were a lot of conditions to play, it was so hot, we feel jet lagged because 48 hours ago we were in America and that is why for me it's important to say thank you to all the young players because they were fantastic.

"To have this type of game against a top-level Spanish team is always important for them. At 17, 18, 19 years old, to have the possibility to play with the first team - I think it's fantastic."

Tottenham get their Premier League campaign underway against Newcastle United next Saturday.