Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho reacts to West Ham defeat and opens up on Gareth Bale snub

Spurs: Mourinho gives team news ahead of West Ham clash

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Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has spoken out after his side’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday. Spurs went into the game seeking a return to winning ways in the Premier League. However, they instead slipped to a disappointing defeat at the London Stadium.

Tottenham lost to Manchester City last time out but responded by beating Wolfsberger 4-1 in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Therefore, they went into the match against West Ham looking to get a vital three points under their belt.

However, that didn’t happen.

West Ham got their afternoon off to a positive start with Michail Antonio scoring in the fifth minute.

The Hammers then doubled their lead through Jesse Lingard, who appears reborn following his loan move from Manchester United.

And though Tottenham were able to get on the scoresheet through Lucas Moura, it wasn’t enough to earn themselves anything from the contest. 

Speaking afterwards, Mourinho insisted his side didn’t deserve to lose.

“Thursday was not in the legs because we started with only one player that played 90 minutes which was Eric Dier,” he said.

“Lucas Moura played 65 minutes on Thursday and was the best player for our team.

“Nothing to do with that. The way we finished the game showed it was not a physical problem that stopped us having a result.

“I think we did [have enough to win].

“Losing 1-0 at half time you have to lift the players and play better in the second half which we did.

“The first thing that happened is that amazing and ridiculous goal. You are playing against a team that fought in the second half. They defend. We attacked and created and were unlucky.”

Mourinho also opened up on his decision to snub Gareth Bale, who was forced to settle for a place on the bench.

“The quality is there. Nobody can have doubts of that,” he said.

“The condition to play three matches in a week, is a different story. We have to try to get the best out of him.

“We gave him 65 minutes the other day not 90. To start today would be too much for him and a risk. He is more confident.

“He is starting to be more intense. He was good in the second half.”

West Ham boss David Moyes hailed the result as ‘great’.

“A great win for us. A tough opponent,” said the Scot.

“Things like possession we feel we can be better. Let’s not get carried away totally, we still have some things to do but simple things like hunger and the desire to succeed can cover other things as well.

“I think if we’d had a bit more care we could have got 2-0 up at one point but we didn’t quite do that.

“He [Soucek] is a manager’s dream. He is somebody who wants to play, really humble and enjoying being here.

“Jesse has been a very good player, we shouldn’t take that away. He has had a difficult year. He has given us something else and helped us get better.

“We have only done half a job. If we continue this way we will be close. I don’t want to be negative in any way.

“We are enjoying it but are also not going to be daft. We will keep calm and hopefully keep pushing the teams at the top.

“West Ham have always had bits where they’ve won some big games but what they want is consistency and I think we have consistency.

“This club badly needs a level where they are not around the bottom. This time last year you were asking me if we can avoid relegation so it is a great feeling that is gone.

“There is always a first for everything and Jose Mourinho has had great teams. He is up there with elite managers but sometimes football can get you results like it did today.”

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