Jose Mourinho has praised the impact that Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura had on the team this afternoon on their return to the starting eleven after Tottenham overcame West Brom 2-0.
It was a much-needed victory for Spurs on the back of three back to back defeats against Liverpool, Brighton and Chelsea.
Mourinho started with four forward players in Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura, with Tanguy Ndombele partnering Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the middle of the park.
The return of Kane understandably grabbed the headlines owing to the England captain’s well-taken finish and the important part he played in the build-up to Son Heung-min’s goal.
However, Lucas and Lamela were also brought a lot of energy to the side as they pressed the Baggies backline tirelessly and always looked to make things happen when they got on the ball.
Both players have not been regular starters for the side this season but proved their importance to the squad this afternoon with a fine display.
Mourinho praised the pair’s attitude and admitted that he decided to hand them a start after the impact they made coming off the bench against Chelsea on Thursday.
MORE SPURS STORIES
The Spurs boss told Football.London: “I’m very happy.
“I love the way Lamela and Lucas came to the game against Chelsea. I love that compromise. I loved even their talk before they came to the pitch. Big compromise to the team.
“Both of them proper men, proper team men and I was so happy with them that I decided to start the game with them and they were both very good, really, really good.
“So I’m very pleased with what they did but I again go back to the first question and what pleased me more was the compromise of the team.
I think we played well. I think we fought well against the qualities that West Brom try to explore.
“We kept them very very far from our goal for long periods, we didn’t have many situations in our box apart from the last 5-10 minutes, not many corners, I don’t think even one, or maybe one in the second half maximum.
“The way we played, good dynamics, happiness, which I told the players was very very important, they kept that in the second half even if the first half was a bit frustrated, in the sense of when you play so well and when you are so dominant, normally you have to be winning, and we were not winning.
“But the players in the second half kept the same dynamic, the same mentality, I’m v pleased for them.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Lucas has been on the receiving end of plenty of criticism from Spurs fans but he proved today that he can be a very useful asset for the side. While his decision making in possession can sometimes be frustrating, no one can fault the Brazilian’s desire and commitment to the cause.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
