LESS IS MOUR... Jose: I prefer not to talk on VAR nor the ref... I’d start with minute one

JOSE MOURINHO didn’t want to talk about VAR, the referee, goal-line technology, Christian Eriksen or Spurs’ injury problems.

But most of all, he didn’t want to drop the H-bomb.

In the end, of course, he commented on all of the above and admitted just how badly the north Londoners will miss Harry Kane.

Any club would. But it is not what the Spurs boss needs as he desperately tries to assert some order into their campaign. At Vicarage Road, he insisted he was up against it still further. As usual, some claims contained more merit than others.

A bizarre malfunction with VAR – the battery went in referee Michael Oliver’s communication toy – prevented a potential 26th-minute red card against Watford’s Etienne Capoue as he stamped down upon Japhet Tanganga. Only a foul was awarded. The France midfielder later whipped Giovani Lo Celso’s legs from under him in another meaty unlawful challenge, further increasing Mourinho’s frustration.

A penalty decision also went against him – although Troy Deeney’s effort was saved by Paulo Gazzaniga – and Eric Lamela was denied a goal by the thinnest of margins in the dying seconds.

Spurs were far from their fluid best against a Hornets side that has certainly rediscovered its mojo.

They just about mustered enough gumption to grab a point. Mourinho didn’t exactly paint lipstick on a pig after the final whistle, but he was certainly looking on the bright side.

He said: “We started well, we ended well and, for the majority of time, we played well. It’s not easy to come here with a team that’s not physical and one that is technical.

“In front of our defenders, we played Winks, Lo Celso, Dele, Son and Lucas and I think we had control for the majority of the time. I think we coped well with them at setpieces where they are so powerful.

“About VAR, I prefer not to answer. Nor Mr Oliver, the referee, and Mr Friend (VAR official). I will go in a direction I don’t want to go. I would have to start with minute one. I’d have to speak about Capoue on Lo Celso. I prefer not to.

“And I promised I wouldn’t speak about the boys we don’t have. I don’t want to. I have to try not to. But you know how important they are for us. I’m not saying we would win. But it was the kind of game where, if you have a goalscorer, a guy who smells goals... probably you win it.

“But in the game today and against Liverpool, we showed good things. This commitment, the intensity. I’m happy with lots of things we did in these last games.”

An early goal would have sparked this into life. As it was, despite opportunities for both, it only gained traction in the final quarter when Jan Vertonghen charged full-tilt at Gerard Deulofeu’s shot, the ball smashing into his hand.

The match official pointed to the spot. Deeney was tasked with helping Watford towards their 16th point from 21 under new boss Nigel Pearson, but fluffed his lines, for Gazzaniga to save (above)

Once Eriksen entered the fray, Spurs naturally improved and almost stole the points when Lamela scrambled Serge Aurier’s cross towards the line, sub Ignacio Pussetto’s clearance (left) coming in the nick of time.

Pearson said: “I’ve seen my players put in an honest performance and a good one, too.”