Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has warned his players that more teams in the Premier League will capitalise on mistakes.
The Portuguese has thrown caution to the wind after Spurs narrowly edged out Brighton & Hove Albion with a 2-1 win. The victory has lifted the north London club to second, just two points behind Liverpool after seven games.
Jose Mourinho Hails Increasing Challenge of Premier League
Early Season Progress
Although the season remains in its infancy, Tottenham are already putting up the numbers to show they are evolving.
Spurs have notched the most goals in the league so far with 18. The output is largely down to the in-form partnership of attackers Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane, who have combined for 14 goals alone.
Following the tightly-contested fixture against Brighton, Spurs rose to second after registering their first win at home in the Premier League this season.
But manager Jose Mourinho has warned his side must not get complacent as the Premier League continues to toughen. Just three points separate Spurs in second from Newcastle United in 11th, and any slip up will be capitalised on.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “In 2004 when I came to England there were certain matches that the top teams knew was three points – not anymore.
“Now this is the best league in the world, not just because of the top six, for every team. The Premier League, everyone is close.
“If we drop two points, we can be seventh, eighth, ninth. The Premier League is beautiful.”
Indifferent Relationship With VAR
Spurs’ rise in the Premier League hasn’t come without controversy, as the VAR debate continues to be discussed.
Mourinho witnessed his side take the lead against Brighton with a Kane penalty, but found themselves pegged back through a controversial equaliser.
Tariq Lamptey scored his first career Premier League goal in the second half, but Solly March had seemingly brought down Spurs’ Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the build-up.
Referee Graham Scott was consulted by VAR operator Jonathan Moss of a possible foul and was advised to check the pitch-side monitor. But, despite replays not showing clear contact on the ball from March, the goal stood, leaving the Spurs players and staff incensed.
When asked for his take on proceedings, Mourinho refused to comment, stating the “referee should explain” why the decision was made.
“I prefer to stay away [from VAR],” Mourinho continued.
“Probably the referee should go to the press conference and explain. He had time to go to the screen so only he can explain why it is a goal. He is a good ref and a good guy, only he can explain that decision. My view doesn’t matter.”
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