Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has defended star player Harry Kane after suggestions were made that he was “clever” in winning a penalty against Brighton at the weekend.
Kane was awarded a disputed foul in a challenge with Adam Lallana in the opposition.
BT Sport pundit Martin Keown said that he even thought that the striker’s intention was “dangerous” and that the decision should have been given the other way.
However, Mourinho was full of support for Kane in his press conference on Wednesday and insisted that the media should focus on Spurs’ rival players, including Mohamed Salah.
Salah himself won a controversial penalty for Liverpool over the weekend where he scored against West Ham after going down in a challenge from Arthur Masuaku.
Mourinho said: “Harry Kane was in a position to control the ball and Lallana came in a reckless fashion.
“Why are you saying it is clever? Clever is taking the ball and scoring a goal. It's a foul.
“I thought it was a direct free-kick but VAR said it was inside the box because it was on the line. What are we talking about being clever? Harry Kane just wants to score goals.
“Lallana was reckless. Why are you speaking about us? Speak about Liverpool, Manchester United, City and others with 'clever' players and getting penalties. Don't speak about Harry Kane.”
Spurs will be back in action on Thursday night against Bulgarian side Ludogorets away in the Europa League.
Mourinho confirmed that the squad will be travelling to Bulgaria on Wednesday without new defender Sergio Reguilon.
Mourinho said: “Reguilon is ill but not a Covid situation, just flu and we don't want him to be with the team.
“Lamela was having a little problem for a few weeks and after the last game we decided that was the moment to stop and have this week plus the two weeks of internationals out to recover fully and Aurier a little problem, nothing important. He decided that with the medical team.”
