Dier jumps into stands as Spurs crash out of FA Cup
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho defended Eric Dier after the England international stormed into the stands after his side’s FA Cup exit to Norwich on Wednesday.
Dier climbed over rows of seats to confront a fan, who had allegedly been involved in an altercation with the player’s brother.
The incident rounded off a terrible night for Tottenham, who saw another chance of silverware slip away 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw against the side, which is on bottom of the Premier League.
“When someone insults you and your family is there and your family gets involved with somebody who is insulting you, in this case a younger brother, I think Eric did what we professionals cannot do but, I repeat, probably everyone of us would do,” Mourinho said.
“I am with the player and I understand the player.”
Dier scored his penalty in the shootout, but Erik Lamela,
Troy Parrott and Gedson Fernandes missed from the spot to condemn Spurs to a fourth straight defeat.
On the prospect of the club taking disciplinary action against Dier, Mourinho said: “If the club does that I will not agree, but he did wrong.”
Jan Vertonghen headed Tottenham into an early lead, but Mourinho’s decision to hand 36-year-old goalkeeper Michel Vorm his first appearance of the season backfired.
The Dutchman spilt a longrange effort from Kenny McLean and Josip Drmic bundled home the rebound to level 12 minutes from time.
Both sides then tried badly in extra-time, but neither could find a winner and Mourinho again blamed his stretched resources without the injured Harry Kane and Son Heungmin for the defeat.
“Some of my players were really in trouble and they made an incredible effort to try,” Mourinho said.
“I don’t have one single negative feeling towards my players.
“I can cope with negative moments in football, but I feel really sorry for my players.”
Norwich will host Derby or Manchester United in their first quarterfinal since 1992.
Manchester City will travel to Newcastle in the last eight after winning a 20th consecutive domestic cup tie 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday, thanks to Sergio Aguero’s goal.
Wednesday goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith failed to get a strong enough hand to the Argentinian’s low strike eight minutes into the second half.
A solitary goal was scant reward for the dominance of Pep Guardiola’s men, but they maintained hopes of a cup treble after lifting a third consecutive League Cup on Sunday and beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
“He is a good manager and crazy,” Aguero said of Guardiola’s relentless demand to keep winning.
Leicester also booked their place in the last eight, with a much-needed 1-0 win over Birmingham thanks to Ricardo Pereira’s late header.
Brendan Rodgers’ men were, again, without Jamie Vardy through injury and needed right-back Ricardo to get the only goal when he headed home Marc Albrighton’s cross eight minutes from time.
Sheffield United will host Arsenal in the other quarterfinal tie. —