Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho applauds for the efforts the team displayed in the second half of Tottenham’s draw at Burnley. However, Mourinho acclaimed he ‘needed more’ from some of his players in the first half. Tottenham was 1-0 down at Turf Moor when Chris Wood tucked away a shot surged out by Hugo Lloris but Dele Alli’s second-half penalty saved a point for them.
In an interview with talk SPORT’s Nigel Adderley post the game, Mourinho said of the second-half performance:
“Very good. Really good. Burnley is good, Burnley is strong but in the second half, we were very strong. We probably deserved more. We tried everything until the last second and I’m very happy with the players’ attitude.
“We didn’t have control in our midfield [in the first half]. We need more from some players, more responsibility, more attitude, more intensity, and we had that in the second half with the changes me made.”
Spur’s boss had made five changes in his side that were beaten by Norwich in the FA Cup on Wednesday night. Although, Eric Dier kept his place in the side despite his capers after the match which saw him climb into the stands and confront a fan who allegedly insulted his brother.
But Mourinho was full of praise for Dier, who played in both midfield and defence against the Clarets. Mourinho added:
“I didn’t see him play so well as he did in midfield today. And again, in center-back, he was playing very well.
“I think it’s a question of self-esteem and self-confidence. To be playing so well as a center-back, to raise the levels of confidence and he goes to midfield and was very, very good. Very, very good. When people were asking about his frame of mind I think they don’t need to ask again because I think he was very, very good.”
Although the weekend wasn’t a pleasing one for Spurs as Arsenal and Sheffield United, who are both rivals to finish in the Champions League spots, both won. And if Chelsea knocks off Everton on Sunday, Spurs will be seven points off fourth. However, fifth will be the final qualification spot provided Manchester City’s European ban is sustained.
Spurs are still in this season’s Champions League but must reverse a one-goal shortfall at German club RB Leipzig to reach the quarter-finals. Mourinho revealed that his side ‘have limitations’ but assures that the players would ‘leave everything’ on the pitch in the second leg.
He said: “Tuesday, we go and we win or we lose and leave absolutely everything there. Not one piece of energy and heart and soul. People are tired, some people are injured, we have limitations…we know we have limitations. It’s not an easy season. The spirit is fantastic, the boys showed that in every difficult moment. They showed that today.”
