Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Tottenham

  • Mourinho lauds Hojbjerg in Tottenham win over Arsenal

    Mourinho lauds Hojbjerg in Tottenham win over Arsenal

    Jose Mourinho labelled Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg a “phenomenal player” after Tottenham’s derby win over Arsenal on Sunday.

    Son Heung-min and Harry Kane combined twice as Spurs recorded a 2-0 win in the north London derby to remain top of the Premier League.

    Hojbjerg, an August arrival from Southampton for a reported £15 million plus add-ons , played a key role.

    READ ALSO: Arteta blames Arsenal’s struggles in attack for Tottenham defeat

    The midfielder had more touches (61), passes (44), successful passes (35), passes in the opposition half (15) and interceptions (three) than any other Spurs player.

    Hojbjerg’s performance earned praise from Spurs boss Mourinho, with the 25-year-old also having Tottenham’s only other shot on target.

    “Pierre is, first of all, very intelligent. He reads the game very well. He’s going to be a coach one day, for sure,” Mourinho told a news conference.

    “He’s a pain, asking questions about why we do this and why we do that. On the pitch, he reads the situation very, very well and the people that surround him are really compact, they read the game.

    “Physically he’s very, very strong and technically he’s much better than people think. Because sometimes people think the guy that is good technically is the guy that does the backheel. The guy that is good technically is the guy that does something wonderful. But these are not my words. These are words from coaches of 30, 40 years ago. Simplicity is genius.

    “And the guy is so simple in everything he does with the ball. And I think he’s a phenomenal player. Congratulations, Mr. [Daniel] Levy [Spurs chairman].”

    Of midfielders, only Manchester City’s Rodri has made more successful passes than Hojbjerg in the Premier League this season, with 746 against 706.

    Hojbjerg also ranks fourth for successful passes in the opposition half with 341 and while his five chances created are also below the likes of Rodri with 11, he has created two big chances to the Spaniard’s zero.

    He helped Spurs come through games against City, Chelsea and Arsenal with seven points, and with their title chances seemingly boosted.

    Tottenham have also kept four consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League and Mourinho called for his side to continue their run of form.

    “We can lose everywhere. In the Premier League, we can lose everywhere. We can go to any place and lose. Any team can come here and beat us,” he said.

    “Of course, people could expect these last three matches. Now, three points, four points, or six with one loss. Now we did seven.

    “We didn’t concede one against phenomenal teams. Of course, we are in a good moment and the team is strong also, mentally, but you know, nothing changes.”

    RELATED POSTS:

    I was under more pressure at Stamford Bridge – Mourinho

    Diego Maradona: He would call me after my big defeats – Jose Mourinho

    Mourinho winning the EPL title with Tottenham would alarm Man Utd fans – Neville

  • Arteta blames Arsenal’s struggles in attack for Tottenham defeat

    Arteta blames Arsenal’s struggles in attack for Tottenham defeat

    Mikel Arteta blamed his misfiring stars for Arsenal’s north London derby defeat to Tottenham in the Premier League.

    Goals from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane gave Jose Mourinho’s side a 2-0 victory on Sunday as Spurs provided a clinical edge that the Gunners missed.

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unable to register a single effort on goal while strike partner Alexandre Lacazette had just two.

    This was despite Arsenal enjoying more possession – 69.2 per cent to Tottenham’s 30.8 per cent – and delivering their most crosses (32) in open play since February 2016.

    READ ALSO: Harry Kane reacts to Tottenham’s defensive performance

    It has been a season of struggle for Aubameyang and Lacazette, who have managed a paltry five Premier League goals between them.

    By way of comparison Kane and Son have 18 goals and 13 assists together and both got their names on the scoresheet again.

    “You look at all the stats, they’re in our favour, but at the end of the day it’s about putting the ball in the net,” Arteta told a media conference afterwards.

    “We had the chances. We had generated probably more than ever this season, put the ball in the box more than ever, had the numbers there.

    “But at the end of the day we have to score the goals, and when they had a half chance they scored, and at the moment we haven’t. To build something, you need results.

    “I take a lot of positives for the way we played, when we come here in this moment and play with the personality, the courage, the passion, the energy and the belief the boys showed.

    “At the end it’s a football match and you have to win it, and we lost again today.”

    When asked how Arsenal, who are now 15th in the table and 11 points behind table-topping Spurs, might turn around their results, Arteta went back to the same theme.

    “By scoring goals, very simple,” he said. “We need to score goals. If not, it’s unsustainable. It doesn’t matter what we do in other departments of the pitch, if we don’t score goals we can’t do nothing.

    “A cross doesn’t mean just an aerial cross. There were a lot of good parts where we penetrated the penalty box on numerous occasions.

    “Just to find the last pass or the final ball and the goal came through, we didn’t hit it, they blocked it – it was a lot of things to happen.

    “If we generate it every week we will win football matches. At the moment it looks like we need to do a lot to score a goal. We need to put the ball in the net, urgently.”

    RELATED POSTS:

    ‘Luiz was uncomfortable after Jimenez collision’ – Arteta

    Partey injury more serious than first thought – Arteta

    Balogun ‘wants to stay’ at Arsenal – Arteta

  • Harry Kane reacts to Tottenham’s defensive performance

    Harry Kane reacts to Tottenham’s defensive performance

    Harry Kane expressed his delight with Tottenham’s performance in their North London derby victory over Arsenal, lauding his teammates’ effort in a smash-and-grab victory that sent them back to the Premier League summit.

    Jose Mourinho’s hosts ran out 2-0 victors against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners despite notching just over half as many shots as their visitors and holding only 30 per cent of possession throughout the encounter.

    READ ALSO: Emotional Klopp savours return of Liverpool fans in Wolves win

    Goals from Kane and Son Heung-min – who took their total league combinations to 11 for the season and moved second outright on the all-time list – dealt the damage in the first half to return them back to first place.

    Despite their defensive exertions however, Kane only had positive words to say on his side’s performance, hailing their collective showing as Spurs welcomed supporters back to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time this season.

    “[It was] fantastic,” the 27-year-old told Sky Sports News. “[It was] exactly what we set out for.

    “We played well in the first half; the second half was a bit of a grind, but both teams defended well. They didn’t create too many clear-cut chances, so we’re delighted with the win.

    “It wasn’t comfortable. We could have had more of the ball in the second half – it wasn’t how we wanted to play – but sometimes games turn into situations where you just have to adapt, and that was what happened today.

    “Arsenal played well, kept the ball well and we couldn’t really get out of our half, but they didn’t really create too many chances, so it shows our defensive capabilities.”

    Having already engineered a similar result against Pep Guardiola’s City last month with around a third of the ball once again, Kane paid tribute to his side’s defensive mettle, stating that he is happy to drop deep and play his part in weathering any storms.

    “I’m delighted with the result [defensively],” he added. “The boys dug deep and the defence from crosses was fantastic.

    “It’s one of them, a season where we’re all pulling in the right direction, everyone on the pitch is willing to defend, attack and do what it takes to win the game.

    “Set-pieces are a massive part of it, they had a lot today and the role I play in that is vital for the team, to try to clear as many as possible. I’m happy to do it.”

    Kane’s double-act with Son has fast emerged as the most prolific partnership of the season, and their haul today has moved them within five of the all-time Premier League combination record held by Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

    The England man refuses to get carried away however, adding: “We’re just feeling good. We’re both at an age now where we’re coming into our prime maybe in terms of understanding the game, understanding each other.

    “When I’m passing it through and he’s cutting inside and whipping them in the top bins, it’s an easy game for me.”

    RELATED POSTS:

    Tottenham head coach defends Harry Kane over Brighton penalty incident

    Kane rues lack of luck as England fall to Belgium

    ‘Kane a certainty to join Rooney & Shearer in 200 club’ – Crouch

  • Scarlett becomes Tottenham’s youngest ever player

    Scarlett becomes Tottenham’s youngest ever player

    Jose Mourinho praised Tottenham’s “kids” as Dane Scarlett became the club’s youngest ever player following his appearance in the Europa League.

    Tottenham picked up a comfortable 4-0 home victory over Ludogorets on Thursday night to move one step closer to qualifying for the round of 32 in Europe’s second-tier competition.

    Benfica loanee Carlos Vinicius hit a first-half brace to put the hosts in full command of the contest, making the most of his chance to shine with Harry Kane granted a well-earned rest ahead of Sunday’s London derby clash against Chelsea.

    Harry Winks then managed to find the net from 50 yards in somewhat fortunate fashion on the hour mark, before Lucas Moura rounded off the scoring late on, with Spurs now just one win away from booking a place in the knockout stages.

    Academy graduate Japhet Tanganga was drafted back into Mourinho’s squad after recovering from an injury lay-off, and teenage midfielder Harvey White was handed his senior debut against Ludogorets, while Jack Clarke made his second European appearance since returning to the club following a loan spell at Queens Park Rangers.

    Scarlett was the man who shared the headlines with Winks, however, as he became the youngest player to feature in a competitive game for Tottenham in their entire history aged 16 years and 247 days.

    Mourinho was delighted to see Lilywhite’s next generation of stars “make history”, as he told BT Sport post-match: “I am happy for them, some players had really nice performances.

    “Japhet Tanganga had his first match after long injury, nice chance for the kids to make history. 4-0 and three points, that’s good.

    “I know the kids well. Harvey White works with us every day in our squad, same as Jack Clarke, Dane Scarlett did pre-season with us. We know what they can do but it has to be the right moment and today was the right pressure for them.”

    Asked to assess his side’s latest performance in the Europa League, Mourinho responded: “It was important. There is a risk of every team on six points against them.

    “If that happens to qualify you need a lot of points. Normally nine points would be job done but it is not job done. You need a result but today was important. We made lots of changes but it was important to take it seriously, it was good.

    “The game are important, every game is important. We don’t look to certain competitions, we look game after game.

    “To play all the same players is not good for the condition and for the mentality of those who play.”

    The Portuguese boss concluded by playing down the importance of this weekend’s meeting with Chelsea, as he added: “Every game is every game, in the Premier League I don’t make any difference because every game you can gain points or lose points. We don’t look to the table we look to matches.”

  • Mourinho winning the EPL title with Tottenham would alarm Man Utd fans – Neville

    Mourinho winning the EPL title with Tottenham would alarm Man Utd fans – Neville

    Tottenham winning the Premier League under Jose Mourinho would be the “most outstanding story” and something that would “alarm” Manchester United fans, according to Gary Neville.

    A congested 2020-21 season is expected to produce a much closer title race and the lead at the top of the table has changed hands several times already.

    Spurs briefly hit the summit on Sunday, for the first time in over six years, following a late 1-0 win at West Brom and they are unbeaten in the league since an opening-game defeat by Everton.

    READ ALSO: Ayew brothers join Ghana training for Sudan showdown

    Mourinho won the Premier League three times when Chelsea manager and, while Neville does not believe Spurs will end up champions, he acknowledges the former United boss has the attacking power at his disposal to deliver a first league title for the north London club since 1961.

    “I said a couple weeks ago on Monday Night Football that Spurs couldn’t win the league, and I still don’t think they can,” the former United defender told The Gary Neville Podcast.

    “But I do agree with Jamie Carragher that it would be the most outstanding story to see Jose Mourinho win the Premier League with Tottenham.

    “It would be something that would alarm Chelsea fans, Manchester United fans and Arsenal fans. It would be one of the great stories, because Tottenham don’t win leagues!

    “He’s got the forward players to do it. You think of the strike force and the goal – it’s incredible.”

    Neville also praised Harry Kane, whose winner against West Brom was his 150th goal in the Premier League, which came a few days after hitting the 200 mark for Spurs.

    He added: “The only thing that can stop Harry Kane doing everything in the game, breaking every record, is injury.

    “Alan Shearer is definitely the best striker in PL history in terms of his goal record. He’s the best striker I’ve played with for England, in terms of a number nine, and Rooney I’d put up there with him.

    “And Harry Kane has so much similarity in his game, in terms of the mentality, just ice cold, doesn’t seem to flinch if he misses a chance, flinch if a goalkeeper saves one, he’ll come back and do the right thing. Scoring a goal is a process for them, where he knows where the target is.

    “It’s methodical, and he’s brilliant. He’s a great professional, and England are lucky to have him.”

    RELATED POSTS:

    ‘Messi’s attitude towards Griezmann is deplorable’ – Eric Olhats

    Jose Mourinho says Tottenham could win other European leagues

    Tottenham head coach defends Harry Kane over Brighton penalty incident

  • ‘Kane a certainty to join Rooney & Shearer in 200 club’ – Crouch

    ‘Kane a certainty to join Rooney & Shearer in 200 club’ – Crouch

    Harry Kane is “a certainty to join Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney in the 200 club” and could go on to net 300 goals for Tottenham and become the Premier League’s all-time leading marksman, says Peter Crouch.

    A prolific presence in north London has passed a double century for his current club after a late match-winner in his latest outing against West Brom took Kane onto 201 goals for Spurs, while reaching 150 in the English top flight.

    He has some way to go before thoughts can turn towards raising a bar set by Newcastle legend Shearer at 260, however, time is on Kane’s side at 27 years of age and he is showing no sign of slowing down.

    READ ALSO: Abdullahi gets Nigeria call to replace injured Onyeka

    A move away from Tottenham has been mooted for some time, with many suggesting that major silverware will be required in order to keep an ambitious performer happy.

    Were he to open an exit door, then it could be that a European heavyweight prises him away from the Premier League.

    For now, though, the England captain continues to tick over at a remarkable rate in the final third of the field, with Crouch admitting that Kane would be the man he turns to if he ever needed someone to save his life by hitting the back of the net.

    The former Spurs and Three Lions frontman told the Daily Mail of a modern-day superstar: “The numbers are staggering.

    “He’s got 201 for Tottenham now and he could end up with 300 for the club before he finishes.

    “He’s a certainty to join Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney in the 200 club for the Premier League but beating Shearer’s total of 260 will be a tall order.

    “Kane is not only Tottenham’s best scorer, he’s also their best creator. He’s like two men rolled into one.

    “The best compliment I can pay him is that if you wanted someone to take a shot to score from 25 yards to save your life, I’d pick Kane every single day.”

    Kane’s efforts in 2020-21 are allowing Spurs supporters to dream again, with Jose Mourinho’s side sat second in the table – a point adrift of leaders Leicester – while also making positive progress in Carabao Cup and Europa League competition.

  • Jose Mourinho says Tottenham could win other European leagues

    Jose Mourinho says Tottenham could win other European leagues

    Jose Mourinho says his Tottenham side “could be champions in other European countries” after reiterating the Premier League is the most difficult league to win.

    The Spurs head coach watched his side momentarily go top of the Premier League table on Sunday following their 1-0 victory at West Brom thanks to a late Harry Kane goal.

    Leicester’s victory against Wolves meant Tottenham were subsequently knocked off the summit within hours and Mourinho is under no illusions how hard it will be to win his fourth Premier League title.

    READ ALSO: IPPIS: ASUU blames FG for strike, manipulation

    “I would say that this team could be champions in many European countries,” Mourinho said.

    “In the Premier League it is the most difficult one to be [champions].

    “You can do a good season, you can have a lot of points but in the end you know – Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Man United, Leicester, Arsenal – you can have a good season and not be champions.”

    Victory at The Hawthorns, thanks to Kane’s 150th Premier League goal, continued an encouraging start to the campaign for Tottenham, who temporarily reached top spot for the first time since August 2014.

    Their best Premier League finish came in 2016 when they finished second behind title winners Leicester.

  • Tottenham head coach defends Harry Kane over Brighton penalty incident

    Tottenham head coach defends Harry Kane over Brighton penalty incident

    Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho has launched a fierce defence of Harry Kane following suggestions the striker was “clever” in winning a crucial penalty against Brighton.

    Kane was awarded a penalty in the first half of Tottenham’s 2-1 win on Sunday, after colliding with Brighton midfielder Adam Lallana.

    Referee Graham Scott initially awarded Tottenham a free-kick but VAR Jonathan Moss reviewed the incident and changed the decision to a penalty, after replays showed the collision had occurred inside the Brighton area.

    READ ALSO: Nigerian, Esther Agbaje wins U.S. state Assembly race

    Kane scored the penalty and defended his actions after the match, describing it as a “50-50 decision”, and Mourinho has hit back at suggestions the striker was “clever” and “streetwise” in winning the penalty.

    “You are confused because you could be speaking about some Manchester United players, you could be speaking about some Manchester City players, you could be speaking about some Liverpool players, you could be speaking about some Chelsea players,” said Mourinho.

    “And you are speaking about Harry Kane? Who was in a position to control the ball in a dangerous position and Lallana comes with a very reckless action and committed a foul.

    “Why are you speaking about being clever or not being clever? Being clever is to hold the ball, and shoot and score. It was a foul.”

    Mourinho added: “Why are you speaking about us? Speak about Liverpool, speak about Manchester City, speak about Manchester United.

    “Speak about these penalties where you see the clever guy… when somebody comes and blows, they fall on the floor.

    “Don’t speak about Harry Kane.”

    Tottenham travel to face Ludogorets in the Europa League on Thursday, having already beaten another Bulgarian side, Lokomotiv Plovdiv, in the second qualifying round for the competition.

    Spurs are currently second in Group J, three points behind Antwerp after losing 1-0 to the Belgian side last Thursday, and Mourinho has warned his players they face another tough test in Razgrad.

    “I expect a difficult match. We already played against probably the second-best team in Bulgaria… looking at the table, I think Lokomotiv has to be the second-best team, and it was very difficult for us,” said Mourinho.

    “So we can image that Ludogorets has an even bigger potential, nine consecutive league titles is not for everyone. It is for them, Bayern Munich and maybe Paris Saint-Germain, so we respect them.

    “The fact that we only have three points, this double fixture against Ludogorets, it is very important for us that we have four or six points. We need points and we go to Bulgaria with this in mind.”

  • Tottenham need better home form to challenge for Premier League top spot – Jose Mourinho

    Tottenham need better home form to challenge for Premier League top spot – Jose Mourinho

    Jose Mourinho believes Tottenham need to improve their home form if they are going to challenge for the Premier League title.

    Spurs, who are currently seventh in the table and without a home league win this season, face Brighton on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

    READ ALSO: Halep tests positive for Covid-19

    A 1-0 opening-day defeat to Everton was followed by a controversial last-gasp VAR decision that prevented victory over Newcastle, before poor defending played a part in Spurs squandering a 3-0 lead over West Ham to eventually draw 3-3.

    With different results against Newcastle and West Ham, Tottenham could have been top of the table going into their clash with Brighton, but they could close the gap on league frontrunners Liverpool with a win against Graham Potter’s side.

    “We are magnificent away from home [in the league]”, Mourinho tells Sky Sports News.

    “But at home we have lost too many points, and with these points, we would be there [Premier League leaders].”

    Conversely, Mourinho has hailed Tottenham’s away form in the top-flight, with his side having scored 12 goals in three wins.