Thu 26 November 2020, 23:15
Tottenham HotspurThere were plenty of boxes ticked for Jose Mourinho as we beat Ludogorets 4-0 in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
The first of a number of positives were Carlos Vinicius’ first goals for the Club, his close-range finishes after 16 and 34 minutes put us in control of Matchday Four in Group J. Harry Winks then hit a remarkable goal from the left touchline, near halfway, which he later admitted was intended as a pass for Gareth Bale, and Lucas Moura wrapped it for 4-0 on 73 minutes.
History was then made as Dane Scarlett became the Club’s youngest-ever player - aged 16 years, 247 days - and one of three debutants off the bench on 82 minutes alongside Alfie Whiteman and Harvey White, all three graduates of our Academy.
Japhet Tanganga returned from injury for his first appearance since September, and Matt Doherty was back after recovering from a positive coronavirus test on 11 November.
Antwerp beat LASK, so we’re level on nine points with the Belgian club after four matches.
Job done, but not done in the group phase, because nine points is not enough. We need to get more points, so two more matches to do it
On Carlos’ goals, Jose said: “It’s important, of course the second goal is a tap in, but you need to be there. The first one is a striker’s goal, facing the goalkeeper, cool and score, a good assist.
“I want him with more ambition. I think when you score two goals in the first half you have to be more ambitious to take the matchball home, but he’s adapting step by step and of course I’m happy.”
On Japhet’s return, he added: “We need everyone in the squad, Japhet and Davinson did exactly what I asked them to do, which was to bring the defensive line up all the time. They are both very fast and they were both very dominant.”
Finally, on Dane, Alfie and Harvey, Jose shone the spotlight on our Academy set up. “It’s nice for the Academy, nice for those responsible in the Academy, their coaches, and also nice for their colleagues, because their colleagues will think their time can also arrive. It’s a good gift to them, but it’s also a gift the Club as a whole deserves, and I’m happy with that.”
