Mourinho ‘really happy’ with Dele Alli’s ‘professionalism’

Lewis Oldham
Mourinho

Jose Mourinho was delighted with Tottenham Hotspur’s “professionalism” as they strolled past non-league Marine in the FA Cup.

Marine made a solid start to the game, and they could have even been in front after 20 minutes. Neil Kengni advanced before unleashing a fierce strike that struck the bar.

This appeared to kick Spurs into another gear, however. The visitors went in front minutes later as Carlos Vinicius tapped it home from close range.


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Tottenham doubled their lead in the 30th minute. Dele Alli was the chief creator again as he set up Matt Doherty. The full-back’s volley was saved only for it to be converted by Vinicius for his second.

After two tap-ins, Lucas Moura struck a sublime free-kick that went in past Bayleigh Passant in goal.

In the 37th minute, Vinicius scored his third and Tottenham’s fourth. The ball sat up perfectly for the forward who precisely found the corner to complete his hat-trick.

Tottenham’s lead was extended in the second half by debutant Alife Devine. The 16-year-old finished brilliantly at the near-post to become Spurs’ youngest ever goalscorer in the process.

Speaking with BBC Sport post-match, Mourinho insisted that he was really pleased with Tottenham’s showing:

“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.”

[On Vinicius’ hat-trick]: “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.”

[On Alfie Devine’s debut goal]: “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.

“I am really happy with [Dele Alli’s] 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.

“[Alli] 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.

“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.”