Mourinho grateful for one Tottenham backup; hints at Dele Alli U-turn

Jose Mourinho praised Tottenham for a professional performance against Marine in the FA Cup as he assessed their aims on all fronts this season.

Tottenham have enjoyed a positive first half of the season, topping the Premier League table a few weeks ago, qualifying for the Europa League knockout stages and reaching the final of the Carabao Cup.

Nothing less than a comfortable win would have been expected of them when they began their journey in a fourth competition this season against a team from the eighth tier of English football.

Indeed, Tottenham claimed a 5-0 win against Marine to book their place in the fourth round.

While they were able to rest some players, it allowed them to continue their positive momentum as they look to progress in as many competitions as possible.

After the game, Mourinho praised the attitude and respect shown by his squad to the match and their opponents.

He told BBC Sport: “I am happy. I think the boys were professionals and didn’t stop until the game was over in terms of result.

“The attitude was positive and that means a lot for me and also for the competition and to Marine’s guys, because they felt we played seriously.

“Of course, in the Carabao Cup we reached the objective to be in the final. In the FA Cup this is a little first step.

“In the Premier League the table is a bit fake, we have had some very good results and some disappointing ones. But not bad at all.”

One man whose class stood out at Marine was Carlos Vinicius, who scored a hat-trick. They were his first goals in English football after some scoring displays in the Europa League.

It has been difficult for Vinicius to get opportunities in the Premier League, as he would have to dislodge Harry Kane from the starting lineup.

However, Mourinho is thankful that he has a striker capable of stepping up when his talisman is not playing.

Of Vinicius’ hat-trick, Mourinho said: “It is nice for him. Of course, for a striker that doesn’t play a lot because in front of him is the big one – every time he has a little chance to play, like in the Europa League, he is there for us and we are very happy.”

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There was an even less familiar scorer when Alfie Devine rounded off the win in the second half. At just 16 years old, the debutant became the youngest scorer in the club’s history.

Mourinho was happy for the teenager, pointing to the positive impact of the club’s academy overall.

He said: “It is good for the kid. This season we have managed to give minutes to young guys – Dane Scarlett youngest one to play in the Europa League, now for Alfie to come to his area, he is not far from here, to make his debut and score his first goal is good for him and a good feeling for everyone at the academy.”

Mourinho hints at Alli inclusion

The match also provided Dele Alli with a chance to get back on track. The England midfielder has fallen out of favour this season and has been linked with a January transfer.

However, he took his chance to impress, setting up the first goal and unlocking the passage of play that led to the second.

Even though he went off just after the hour-mark, Alli could be content with his performance. In fact, Mourinho even suggested he could feature in their next Premier League game, against Aston Villa.

Mourinho said: “I am really happy with his attitude in the game. Of course we didn’t want to risk much, the pitch is a bit dangerous and their enthusiasm can put the creative ones in some risk, but I am happy.

“Good professionalism, good dynamic from him and Gedson (Fernandes) to start trying to create, so really pleased for the performance.

“He was here today and of course it was not the match to measure the quality, but the professionalism and attitude and I am very happy with it. I will not be surprised if next Wednesday Dele is playing with us.”

READ MORE: Tottenham’s shock transfer stance on Dele Alli revealed

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