IT’S NOT WORKING, JOSE
But Mourinho insists he’s still the Special One for Spurs despite a costly defeat to Hammers
DEFIANT Jose Mourinho responded to growing uncertainty about his job by claiming he remains one of the best managers in the world. He was forced to defend his coaching methods after defeat by David Moyes’ West Ham saw Spurs slump to a fifth league defeat in six games — one of the worst runs of his managerial career.
Mourinho’s future is under increasing scrutiny as the club’s season implodes and, asked if he was starting to question his approach, he insisted: ‘Not at all. Sometimes the results are a consequence of multisituations. And my coaching methods are second to nobody in the world.’
Spurs are now nine points adrift of the Hammers, who occupy the final top-four spot. But Mourinho said: ‘It’s mathematically possible. When it is possible, it is still realistic. Very hard, yes, but mathematically possible.
‘The team has problems but I believe you need to have a light that makes it possible to win matches. And when that light comes back — that means when you hit the post, the ball goes inside the net rather than outside — we can win a couple of matches in a row.
‘The situation can change and we can still fight for the top four. And in the Europa League we are still alive. Maybe we can also get to the Champions League through that.’
There comes a point at every club when the powers that be have no option but to conclude things simply are not working. Yes, Mourinho’s men didn’t down tools yesterday and came close to snatching a draw, but in the end they fell short and that’s all that matters in the boardrooms.
In contrast, Moyes’s job should be one of the safest in the top flight. This was his first win over Mourinho in 16 attempts.
‘I was obviously aware of it because of how much it is mentioned, but it wasn’t the most important thing,’ said the Scot. ‘The most important thing to me was defeating Tottenham because they have a great squad.
‘There is always a first for everything and Jose Mourinho has had great teams wherever. He is up there with elite managers but sometimes football can get you results like it did today.
‘It is a great win for us but let’s not get carried away. We have only done half a job.
‘If we continue this way, we will be close (to qualifying for Europe). We are enjoying it but are also not going to be daft.’
His team showed all facets of their game here and European football is no longer a pipe dream.
At first glance, their fifth-minute opener was courtesy of a Hugo Lloris error following Jarrod Bowen’s inswinging cross. The keeper could only parry Michael Antonio’s resultant poke back into his path, leaving the forward with the simple task of ramming home from a yard.
Had Jesse Lingard’s pass been more accurate, Antonio would have added a second six minutes later before Harry Kane wasted two opportunities to level in quick succession.
His second chance was preceded by a nasty clash of heads between Davinson Sanchez and Tomas Soucek, which left the latter bloodied. Soucek was escorted down the tunnel for treatment before being reintroduced seven minutes later, Moyes deciding against making a concussion substitute — despite Spurs’ numerical advantage while the midfielder was patched up.
Not that Spurs made playing against ten men count. But there were signs they could still threaten in the final third.
Their best opportunity came deep into first-half stoppage time, Kane’s angled drive well saved by Lukasz Fabianski.
Gareth Bale’s introduction at the break was a signal of Mourinho’s intent. But those grand plans were torn up within two minutes of the restart, as Lingard ripped through the heart of Spurs’ defence and fired past Lloris.
West Ham had to endure a brief VAR check, but that merely delayed the inevitable.
Mourinho (right) cut a forlorn figure but his players weren’t prepared to cave.
Kane flashed a free-kick wide before Bale’s piercing run forced another fine save from Fabianski.
In the 64th minute, Spurs grabbed a lifeline as Lucas Moura rose highest to nod home Bale’s corner.
This was the second half Mourinho had envisaged — another Kane effort whizzing inches past.
Bale crashed an audacious effort from Kane’s pass on to the crossbar in the 79th minute and, in stoppage time, Vladimir Coufal’s clearance bounced off Son Heung-min only to loop on to the foot of the post. Tottenham will argue they were unlucky to lose here. But you make your own luck in this game. Mourinho knows that — as do his bosses.
WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 6; Coufal 7, Dawson 8, Diop 7, Cresswell 7; Rice 8, Soucek 9; Bowen 7 (Benrahma 65), Lingard 8 (Noble 90), Fornals 7 (Johnson 82); Antonio 7. Subs not used: Randolph, Martin, Balbuena, Lanzini, Alves, Odubeko. Booked: Soucek, Diop, Antonio, Fornals. TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Lloris 5; Tanganga 5 (Doherty 46), Sanchez 5, Dier 5, Reguilon 6 (Alli 77); Hojbjerg 6, Ndombele 6; Lucas 7, Lamela 6 (Bale 46), Son 7; Kane 7. Subs not used: Hart, Alderweireld, Winks, Sissoko, Davies, Vinicius. Booked: Lamela, Hojbjerg, Reguilon. Man of the match: Tomas Soucek. Referee: Craig Pawson.