JOSE FUMES AT FULHAM COMPLAINTS

JOSE MOURINHO claims Fulham should apologise for jeopardising the completion of the Premier League if boss Scott Parker turns up at Tottenham with a full-strength team. ‘Do you want to finish the season or not?’ snapped the Spurs boss as angry accusations flew from both sides ahead of tonight’s hastily-rearranged clash. Fulham boss Parker said it was ‘scandalous’ for his team to be forced into a game at such short notice — to ease Tottenham’s congested fixture list. ‘I’m angry, I’m disappointed,’ he fumed. ‘Do I believe this would happen if it was a top-of-the-table clash? No, I don’t. It is very unfair.’

Fulham have players just back from isolation and said they would have taken a different approach to Saturday’s FA Cup tie at QPR, won in extra-time, had they known they were at Spurs four days later. But there was no sympathy from Mourinho. This is Tottenham’s 30th game in 122 days since the season started. It is Fulham’s 20th. ‘We played every week three matches a week,’ said Mourinho. ‘We played, in one week, four matches. They played Saturday against QPR. They have Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to prepare for the game. If they come with half of the team, I will be the first to apologise to them. If they come with their best team, I think they should apologise to all of us.’ The original fixture due for December 30 was called off on the day of the game, at Fulham’s request, when they recorded positive Covid tests within the camp. It still rankles with Mourinho. Asked if it was acceptable for Fulham to be given only 48 hours’ notice, he replied: ‘Are you serious? They had 48 hours to prepare for this game. I had the news I was not going to play them two hours before the game.’