Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho let down by three players in disappointing Arsenal defeat

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Tottenham continue to be inconsistent under Jose Mourinho. They entered Sunday’s clash with Arsenal on a high after stringing together five wins on the trot. But the Gunners ended their rivals’ fine run with a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Tottenham went ahead against Arsenal through Erik Lamela.

The Argentina international’s excellent Rabona went viral on social media in the aftermath, prompting big celebrations from the away bench.

But Arsenal turned the game around to pick up all three points.

Martin Odegaard levelled for the Gunners, with the Norway international finally scoring his first Premier League goal following his January arrival from Real Madrid.

And Alexandre Lacazette scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 64th minute.

It was a disappointing showing from Tottenham, who couldn’t beat their fierce rivals for the second time this season.

So Express Sport will now take a look at the three players who let Mourinho down.

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Matt Doherty

Tottenham thought they were onto a winner when they signed Matt Doherty from Wolves in the summer transfer window.

But he’s been the epitome of their season under Mourinho, failing to achieve consistency over the course of the campaign.

He was easily beaten by Kieran Tierney for Arsenal’s opening goal of the match.

And he looked on edge throughout the showdown at the Emirates, with both Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe causing him all sorts of problems.

Much improvement is required if he’s to live up to Mourinho’s big expectations.

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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Tottenham have, for the most part, seen Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg shine over the course of the season.

Mourinho opted to rest him in midweek in the club’s victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League, saving him for Arsenal.

But Hojbjerg wasn’t at his best, producing a flat performance as the Gunners took all three points.

The midfielder had to spent more time than usual covering Doherty and he relinquished possession far too easily.

It definitely wasn’t a repeat of earlier in the season, with the former Saints star arguably the best player on the pitch in their 2-1 triumph over Mikel Arteta’s side on home turf.

Gareth Bale

In recent weeks, Gareth Bale has won Mourinho round.

The Tottenham star has been back to his blockbuster best but, against Arsenal, he was brought crashing down to earth.

It was a flat performance from the Wales international, who was poor in both attack and defence as they slipped to defeat.

Bale looked ready to see his number come up by the end of the match.

And Tottenham will need more from their No 9 if they’re to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Mourinho furious

Mourinho hit out at the decision to award Arsenal a penalty after the derby, saying: “No post-match interviews for referees? That’s a pity.

“I think we played really bad in the first-half. The 1-1 was not a fair reflection of the first-half, we were poor.

“Defending bad, no intensity, no pressing, even in terms of creating attacking football, some important players hiding.

“In the second-half, we only had space to improve which we did, then it’s a question – an impossible question because they don’t speak – but a question for Michael to answer and probably Paul Tierney too because he was on the VAR.

“According to Kevin Friend, the referee got told that he had a clear vision and the VAR didn’t want to go against.

“What I see from the bench, I had a feeling, but I am 40 or 50 metres away. Yeah, I saw it immediately, I watched it on the iPad, I think the referees have a difficult job sometimes.

“I didn’t complain because he’s closer than me but then I watch it on the iPad, it is what it is.

“If somebody has a different opinion, it has to be one of the big Arsenal fans with the season ticket because I’d accept that because it’s the passion speaking. Apart from that, I wouldn’t accept that because it’s so obvious.”

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