Former Spurs boss was surprised by Mourinho substitution against West Ham

Tim Sherwood has admitted that he was surprised to see Jose Mourinho taking Erik Lamela off at half-time during Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday.

Tottenham started the game poorly as Michail Antonio handed the home side an early lead after the Spurs backline once again failed to deal with a cross into the box.

While the North Londoners were very agricultural in their build-up play for the first 30 minutes and failed to ask questions of the Hammers defence, they did grow into the game as the half wore on.

Lamela was one of Tottenham’s few bright sparks in the first 45 minutes as the Argentine was involved in some promising build-up play.

He even set up a great chance for Harry Kane after beating several players with a mazy run, with the England captain lashing it wide of Fabianski.

However, Lamela was withdrawn by Jose Mourinho at half-time, with the 28-year-old being replaced by Gareth Bale and Matt Doherty also coming on for Japhet Tanganga.

Bale was one of Tottenham’s biggest threats in the second half and the Welshman was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, with his brilliant strike from Kane’s cut-back hitting the woodwork.

Reacting to Mourinho’s substitutions at the interval, Sherwood told Premier League Productions (21/02/21 at 12:55 pm): “I am surprised Lamela’s going off.

“I am not surprised Bale’s coming on and I am certainly not surprised that Doherty is coming on to give them that bit of thrust down that right-hand side.

“He scored four goals for Wolves last season in the Premier League. He’s a goal threat.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It was surprising to see Lamela taken off as he was our most dangerous player in the first half, just like he has been over the past few weeks. I expected Bale or Bergwijn to come on for Lucas at half-time but perhaps the fact that the Brazilian got on the scoresheet in the second half vindicates Mourinho’s decision to keep him on.

Related Topics