{"id":571051,"date":"2020-11-02T13:49:42","date_gmt":"2020-11-02T18:49:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=571051"},"modified":"2020-11-02T13:49:42","modified_gmt":"2020-11-02T18:49:42","slug":"jose-mourinho-warns-tottenham-hotspur-beautiful-premier-league-will-punish-complacency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/11\/02\/jose-mourinho-warns-tottenham-hotspur-beautiful-premier-league-will-punish-complacency\/","title":{"rendered":"Jose Mourinho Warns Tottenham Hotspur \u2018Beautiful\u2019 Premier League Will Punish Complacency"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> manager Jose Mourinho has warned his players that more teams in the Premier League<\/a> will capitalise on mistakes.<\/p>\n

The Portuguese has thrown caution to the wind after Spurs narrowly edged out Brighton & Hove Albion<\/a> with a 2-1 win. The victory has lifted the north London club to second, just two points behind Liverpool<\/a> after seven games.<\/p>\n

Jose Mourinho Hails Increasing Challenge of Premier League<\/h2>\n

Early Season Progress<\/h3>\n

Although the season remains in its infancy, Tottenham are already putting up the numbers to show they are evolving.<\/p>\n

Spurs have notched the most goals in the league<\/a> so far with 18. The output is largely down to the in-form partnership of attackers Son Heung-Min<\/a> and Harry Kane<\/a>, who have combined for 14 goals alone.<\/p>\n

Following the tightly-contested fixture against Brighton, Spurs rose to second after registering their first win at home in the Premier League this season.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> in 11th<\/sup>, and any slip up will be capitalised on.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Sky Sports<\/a>, he said: \u201cIn 2004 when I came to England there were certain matches that the top teams knew was three points – not anymore.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow this is the best league in the world, not just because of the top six, for every team. The Premier League, everyone is close.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we drop two points, we can be seventh, eighth, ninth. The Premier League is beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indifferent Relationship With VAR<\/h3>\n

Spurs\u2019 rise in the Premier League hasn\u2019t come without controversy, as the VAR debate continues to be discussed.<\/p>\n

Mourinho witnessed his side take the lead against Brighton with a Kane penalty, but found themselves pegged back through a controversial equaliser.<\/p>\n

Tariq Lamptey<\/a> scored his first career Premier League goal in the second half, but Solly March<\/a> had seemingly brought down Spurs\u2019 Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg<\/a> in the build-up.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

When asked for his take on proceedings, Mourinho refused to comment, stating the \u201creferee should explain\u201d why the decision was made.<\/p>\n

\u201cI prefer to stay away [from VAR],\u201d Mourinho continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>