Jose Mourinho's body language says it all about brilliant Sheffield United win over Tottenham
Only five minutes had passed and Sheffield United had spent most of them posing questions of the Tottenham Hotspur defence. The Portuguese wasn’t happy. And he made sure his players knew it.
By the time goals from Sander Berge, Lys Mousset and Oli McBurnie powered Wilder’s side to one of their most impressive results of the season, never mind ‘Project Restart’, Mourinho looked positively furious. A late strike from Harry Kane proved to be nothing more than a consolation although Spurs, who defended poorly and lacked United’s sense of purpose, could scarcely claim to have deserved one.
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Having seen John Fleck and Luke Freeman join Jack O’Connell in the treatment room, where John Lundstram’s presence is also pushing social distancing measures to their absolute limits, Wilder elected to only name seven substitutes on the bench instead of the nine now permitted until the end of the season.
Whether Wilder really had no choice or, having opposed the rule-change was attempting to score some sort of political point, his decision appeared to galvanise his team rather than leave them with an inferiority complex. Indeed, with George Baldock testing Hugo Lloris early on and Chris Basham also going close, it was no surprise when Berge fired United ahead in the 31st minute.
It was the Norwegian’s first goal since arriving at Bramall Lane in January and, having endured a difficult start to his career in English football, should provide the youngster with some much needed confidence.
Less than two minutes after Berge had drilled a low finish into the far corner of Lloris’ net, following an interchange involving Baldock and Basham, Spurs thought they had drawn level when Kane cut inside and did exactly the same.
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Hide AdThere appeared to be nothing wrong with the goal. Even more so when a VAR check, designed to see if Lucas Moura had handled the ball during the build up, revealed it had been smashed against the Brazilian’s arm as he tumbled over. Thanks to another recent directive, however, the effort was ruled-out. As Mourinho lost his temper, Wilder, whose team have suffered more than any other in the division at the hands of technology this term, flashed a wry smile towards someone in the home dug-out.
That became a broad, beaming grin midway through the second period when Mousset pounced only seven minutes after being introduced. Ben Osborn, replacing Fleck in midfield, received the ball from Enda Stevens and immediately played it back to the Irishman - whose centre was converted from point blank range. McBurnie ensured United would end the evening in seventh after profiting from Berge’s assist, before Kane denied the hosts the clean sheet their dogged defending deserved late on.
Sheffield United: Henderson, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Stevens, Baldock, Osborn, Berge, Norwood, McGoldrick (Mousset 62), McBurnie (K Freeman 90). Not used: Moore, Sharp, Jagielka, Rodwell, Zivkovic.