José Mourinho praises Tottenham after Crystal Palace’s victory: ‘100 goals, not bad for a negative team!’ | Football news

José Mourinho announced his Tottenham side after the 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Super Sunday saw him reach 100 goals for the season.

Gareth Bale and Harry Kane both starred in doubles to help Tottenham to three straight Premier League wins and boost their hopes of being in the top four.

Kane’s second goal of the night was Tottenham’s 100th goal in all competitions this season, becoming the second club in Europe’s five major leagues to reach that milestone in 2020-21, after Bayern Munich (106 ).

After the Spurs secured a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions, Mourinho used the resounding victory as evidence that his team does not rely on negative tactics.

The Tottenham coach said: “If the statistics they gave me are correct, 100 goals scored in the season, which for a very defensive team, a very negative team, is not bad.”

“It has been a good week for us. Three games, nine points, and for next week when we play a crucial game in Europe, and against Arsenal, nothing better for us than to win nine points this week.”

Tottenham came within two points of fourth-ranked Chelsea, but Mourinho was coy about whether Spurs now had a Champions League spot firmly in their sights.

“I don’t know, and I’m not really thinking about it,” he continued. “I can’t control the other teams. I can’t control what’s going to happen tomorrow, we just have to try to get as many points as we can.”

“Trying to win as many games as we can, as many points as possible, if possible by playing well, if possible not to concede many, if possible to score goals, and try to see what can happen.

“I refuse to forget the Europa League, I refuse to say that Thursday is not important, because for me it is just as important. We just have to work hard, stick together and get through the tough times like we did.”

Bale: I’m not 21 anymore!

Kane was the architect of both goals on loan from Real Madrid and the Welshman showed no negative effects in his third consecutive outing.

The 31-year-old has scored in each of his last three home appearances in all competitions, the first time since September 2018 with Real Madrid (four in a row), and the first time with Spurs since May. of 2013.

Bale said Sky sports: “I really enjoyed it, that’s why I came here. The attacking players we have are incredible. Not just the ones who played tonight, but the others on the bench. Three points again.

“There is a lot of fighting for places, so you have to stay alert and keep working hard, but now we are in a good time. We have regained confidence and hopefully we can move on.”

On playing with Kane, Bale said: “He is fantastic, he is an incredible forward as he showed again tonight. He has been very consistent. It was a fantastic performance again and we are happy to have him here.”

In his own way, he added: “It feels good. Sometimes it takes a little time, but I have enough experience to be patient. It is what it is. Time will tell. [if I can get back to my best], but I’m not 21 anymore. I’m going to keep working hard in every game.

“Your body changes over time. You don’t have the youth to recover quickly after running for 90 minutes, but you learn about your body as you get older and that’s what I have to do.”

Souness: Bale needs more support

Graeme Souness from Sky Sports in Bale:

“I was disappointed in some of the things he said there. He is 32 years old in July. I played my best football when I was 31 years old. I was stronger when I was 30 years old. Of course, he is not 21, but he speaks like an old man.” man – it is not.

“What an example he played with for years and years in [Cristiano] Ronaldo is 35 years old and still at it. He’s a mundane, and he should be doing the opposite of that and saying what he’s going to do and how fabulous he’s going to be.

“These talents don’t come up very often. He’s got ridiculous ability. He’s been on the bench a lot at the Spurs this time. If you’re on the bench, you’re fine to play some role in the games …

“I remember having a conversation six weeks ago … if I’m him, I knock on the manager’s door saying I’m ready. We saw pictures of him smiling on the bench. He’s been here all season and I expected more from him. I’m a huge fan of him, and I just want to see more of him.

“Those words that he came out and said at the end there … we have all turned 31 years old. Your career ends too quickly when you are a footballer. I wish I had a pint of enthusiasm.”

Hodgson: We have to lick our wounds.

Crystal Palace coach Roy Hodgson has failed to win all six of his Premier League meetings with Spurs’ Jose Mourinho, the most he has faced a particular coach in the competition without winning yet.

The Palace manager told Sky Sports: “We felt like we were back in the game at halftime, but those two goals at the start of the second half, great quality goals, were always going to be tough.”

“It’s good to see Christian Benteke occupy that position. We have tried to encourage him to take center stage.

“As Harry Kane told me after the game, they took a really good risk.

“The Spurs were very valuable for their victory. We were heavily punished for the quality of their goals. We lost 4-1. We have to lick those wounds and any lessons, we have a week to work on it.

“We have made one or two things clear to the group about what is necessary in the future. We have 20 very important games. This is a very close league. We have to get completely back on track.

“I’d rather be in our position than Fulham’s. Eight points may not sound like much, but it takes a lot to get it. I don’t care about it in that sense, but I know if you’re not careful and believe your work is done, you can easily lose game after game. “

Whats Next?

Tottenham now host Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday at 8:00 p.m., followed by a trip to rival Arsenal on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 4:30 p.m.

Palace will host West Brom on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 3pm on March 13.