Mathys Tel has taken one big positive from Tottenham’s draw against Man United, even though the home side conceded a late equaliser.
It appeared as if Spurs had finally gotten the monkey off their back and were on their way to a first home Premier League win since the opening day of the season, when Richarlison glanced a header into the back of the net in the 91st minute.
The celebration of the players and coaching staff indicated that they were hugely relieved, but the mood turned inside the stadium a few minutes later.
Man United scored the equaliser with what was almost the final touch of the game, with an unmarked Matthijs de Ligt heading home at the far post from a corner in the 96th minute to spoil the party.
Mathys Tel praises Tottenham’s mentality in the second half against Man United
Tel came off the bench to score the all-important equaliser on Saturday, and the forward insists that he and his teammates showed a great mentality to fight their way back into the contest.
The Frenchman insisted that Tottenham deserved to win the game, given the effort they put in during the second period.
The 20-year-old told the club’s official website about the 2-2 draw: “The reaction in the second was very positive, we showed a great mentality. I would say we deserve to win this game because we gave a lot. For sure, it’s disappointing, but I would say we need to stay positive because we didn’t lose.
“We knew we needed to give 100% energy, defensively and offensively. That’s what we tried to do in the second half and that’s why we scored the first goal and the second one. It was a good reaction from the team. It’s a good point to take, so stay positive.”
Speaking about his impact from the bench, lifting the stadium, Mathys Tel added: “I listened to the stadium. I was very happy because that was, I think, an important goal. That’s what I try to do every day, just try to work and help the team. I’m very happy about the goal, and I will every day try to help the team.”
Tel wants to look forward after bouncing back from setbacks
This campaign has already been a testing one for Tel, who was left out of Tottenham’s Champions League squad for the league phase by Thomas Frank.
However, the forward has bounced back from that setback, and he now has an opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the starting eleven following the latest injury to Randal Kolo Muani.
When asked where that mental strength to bounce back from adversity comes from, Tel responded: “I would say from my family and where I was born. It doesn’t matter what happened in your life. It doesn’t matter what emotion you feel – just stay positive, try to fight every day, and you will get what you want to get. It’s always about fighting, fighting.
“We just want to stay positive because after the international break, we’re playing again, Champions League, Premier League. We don’t have time to think about something else… just make sure we’re ready.”