Jose Mourinho has been explaining why his Tottenham players struggled with their passing during their draw at Everton and why he believes they did not protest against the penalty given against them.
Tottenham were often architects of their own downfall during the stalemate at Goodison Park with some poor passing, most notably from the midfielders.
While Mourinho explained the reasons behind some of the poor distribution on display, he praised two players who bore the brunt of the criticism on social media for their passing - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Moussa Sissoko - which might surprise some of the Spurs supporters.
"I think it was not an easy game to have the ball due to pressing. Richarlison is the kind of guy who presses a lot the first line," he told Sky Sports.
"They were pushing with Iwobi and Sigurdsson with our three defenders and we were doing the same with Sonny and Kane.
"I don't think it was very easy. Even Carlo [Ancelotti] was complaining with Pickford about 'why you don't play to Holgate'. Probably because Holgate feels the pressure!
"In midfield a lot of man to man too, but I think Pierre and Moussa they were the players who gave us the possibility to compete because they were very solid in midfield."
He added: "I think it was a game between two teams who have a lot of similarities. We have a lot of similar aspects. That is why the normality is that we beat them last season 1-0 and lost 1-0 this season and we drew 4-4 before one goal in extra time and today 2-2.
"Teams capable of scoring goals and conceding two. Lots of similarities. I think a good game where both teams tried to win it and probably a fair result."
Harry Kane's first half strike was ruled out within minutes after the referee Michael Oliver gave the hosts a soft penalty after James Rodriguez went down in the box, appearing to kick the turf as Sergio Reguilon ran towards him.
It was the seventh penalty Oliver has given against one of Mourinho's teams in 22 matches.
"I'm not going to comment," said Mourinho about the decision, which was not scrutinised by VAR. "In this moment so many years and so many experiences, in this moment I just laugh or this silly smile and I'm not going to comment."
It was pointed out to the Spurs boss that his players, including Reguilon, did not really protest against the decision.
"That's because that's the way my team normally is. We are not normally a team of many complaints," he said.
"Am I ok they didn't complain? The job is done. The referee made the decision. I've learned also this season that it's very difficult to make a decision to go against the referee's decision.
"With the same referee against Arsenal we complained about the penalty and it meant nothing because the penalty is still there so the players probably felt the same way I felt when the referee decided to give the penalty. Complain for what?"
