Tottenham Hotspurs manager Jose Mourinho has said he was unhappy at the VAR decision tha didn’t award his team a penalty in their 0-0 draw at Bournemouth.
Expressing his displeasure towards VAR official Michael Oliver, Mourinho admitted that the performance of his side was not good, but it was enough to get the maximum points.
The goalless draw did little to help either side’s European or relegation survival ambitions. Spurs is currently in ninth place on the log. This means that their European hopes are fading, just a season after reaching the Champions League final loss to Liverpool, while Bournemouth is 18th.
The former Manchester United coach was referring to a first-half penalty call that didn’t go his team way at the Vitality Stadium.
The penalty appeal was turned down when Josh King appeared to make contact with Harry Kane in the penalty box. The VAR team managed by Oliver reviewed referee Paul Tierney’s decision and supported his call.
You all know the most important moment – Mourinho
Reacting to the outcome of the game, the gaffer in an interview with Skye Sports described the moment as the most important.
“You know when you know who and I don’t want to say any more in relation to that. Everybody knows, and I do not need to say anything in relation to that. Our performance was not good enough, but it was good enough to win.
“The same referee who did the VAR decision against Sheffield United – Michael Oliver. Opinions matter. It’s not the only mine, everybody knows that is a penalty and when I say everybody, I mean everybody. Everybody.”
While noting that Kane doesn’t score 100% of his penalties, Mourinho felt his penalty efficiency rate is very high.
“So normally at minute five we would be winning 1-0 against a team psychologically in trouble. I think the game would have been completely different.
“Like against Sheffield, the man of the match was not one of the players. Sheffield [result] I had a lot to blame myself about. Today I cannot do that.
🗣️ Jose: “For the majority of the game we were not sharp enough.” #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/PrPSxEpuOi
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 9, 2020
Howe takes positive from first points since the restart
On his part, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is happy to at least secure the team’s first point since the restart, even if it did little for their survival bid.
Speaking with the BBC, he said the goal scored by Harry Wilson that was disallowed for handball looked like a goal to him.
“That’s the beauty – or not – of VAR. It looked like a goal for us at the end, but unfortunately, it looked like it hit Josh King’s arm.
“It was a good opportunity for Harry Wilson at the end. We looked a threat, and we defended well. Our midfield and defensive shape were very good. We can defend well, and players like Kane and Son are top players, and we dealt with them very well.
“We haven’t got many games left. It could be a missed opportunity, but we stopped the losing run – that was vital. It gives us heart and confidence that we’re still in the fight, and we’re still there.”
