Goal-shy Moura must show he’s not still living off Amsterdam heroics

IT is not unusual to see the words ‘Tottenham hero’ precede Lucas Moura’s name in articles about the Brazilian. Scoring a hat-trick in a Champions League semi-final will do that.

But Moura cannot dine out on memories of that night in Amsterdam for ever, no matter how delicious it was. He has to create new ones. He has to score in the Premier League, too.

The last time that happened was in December 2019 against Wolves. In that time he has assisted a team-mate once, in February against Manchester City. Because of those numbers, Moura’s inclusion in last night’s starting line-up led some Tottenham supporters to speculate on what dirt the 27-year-old must have on his manager.

Whatever the reason for Jose Mourinho’s blind faith, social media gave it the thumbs down, and the winger did little to make those exasperated tweeters eat their words.

Lucas Digne was standing in the Brazilian’s way, but other than one off-target attempt from distance before the opening drinks break, it was an underwhelming first half.

Moura is an attacker who likes to counter and go at opposition defenders. With Tottenham controlling possession last night, he rarely got the opportunity to stretch his legs in that manner.

When he was given the ball, he made a habit of losing it. Indeed as one user on Twitter noted: ‘When Moura gets the ball, either we immediately lose it, or we get to a Champions League final. Those are the only outcomes.’

Quite, but Mourinho clearly has his favourites at Tottenham. Moussa Sissoko has started Spurs’ four games since the restart, but Tanguy Ndombele is struggling to get a look in.

Before last night, Ndombele — the club-record £65million signing — had spent two games as an unused substitute and he was introduced in the 71st minute of the defeat by Sheffield United. Supporters want to see more of him. Whether they will see less of Moura in the coming weeks remains to be seen.

At the very start of Mourinho’s time as Spurs manager, Moura scored three goals in five Premier League games.

He had managed only one in 10 games under Mauricio Pochettino previously.

Yet here, Moura made it more than 1,250 minutes since he last scored a league goal.

The supporters’ patience is running out. You wonder when Mourinho’s might do the same.