Sun 01 November 2020, 22:36
Tottenham HotspurThe reaction from the players on the final whistle said it all, and Jose Mourinho told us victory ‘meant a lot’ as we toppled Brighton 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday.
Harry Kane’s 149th Premier League goal and 199th goal for Spurs from the penalty spot on 13 minutes and Gareth Bale’s header on 73, just three minutes after entering the fray in the second half – his first Spurs goal since May, 2013 - saw us home after a real battle against a Brighton side who again impressed, and levelled through Tariq Lamptey on 56 minutes.
After unluckily losing wins late to Newcastle (97th minute equaliser) and West Ham (94th minute equaliser) in our last two home games, you just felt this victory in N17 was crucial.
“The players felt on the pitch what we felt outside, it was a difficult match, a very complicated match,” said Jose. “We had to react to the equaliser, and we did it.
“Then, after two posts, one goal and 15 minutes to play, we managed the 15 minutes in a good way. No more danger close to our goal, we kept them away, gave some stability to the game, stability that we couldn’t have for the 90 minutes, but for the last 15 we had that stability and that control.
“We had to work very hard, very hard. What can I say? People used to say when you didn’t beat teams from the second part of the table two or three-nil, people used to say the top team didn’t play very well. People have to change their analysis. This is the Premier League, these teams are very good, and every point is gold.”
As for Gareth’s winner, Jose added: “Gareth, for all the work he’s doing to improve, deserves all the credit, but Gio came on and fought hard, Ben came on and gave us stability, and this is what we need from the players on the bench.
"This league is so, so hard, we need everyone, so I’m happy with the points and let’s now go to Bulgaria and try to put the Europa League in the right direction.”
Next up, Bulgarian champions Ludogorets in Matchday Three of the UEFA Europa League in Razgrad on Thursday (5.55pm UK).
