Jose Mourinho was furious at his Tottenham team’s “incredible” mistakes during his FA Cup defeat by Everton.
And the Spurs boss was irritated by questions about Gareth Bale’s absence after the out-of-shape striker was omitted from the squad for the Goodison Park showdown.
Tottenham fell into the FA Cup after Bernard took advantage of the sloppy defense to score a goal late in the 5-4 win for Everton by Carlo Ancelotti.
Subsequently, Mourinho said that his team showed “great character” by drawing twice, after conceding two goals in the first half.
But he did not like the defense of his team, saying: “Attacking football only wins games when it doesn’t make more mistakes than it creates”.
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
“When you score four goals, you have to win,” he said BBC Sport. “The way we played, we should win in comfort. Attack football and defensive errors.
“The players gave everything. I have to admit that for some of them it was not easy because you play very well and with one, two, three mistakes and are losing 3-1.
“Okay, I take positives. Amazing to watch.”
Mourinho’s team had achieved an early lead through Davinson Sanchez, but Everton took control with three goals in eight minutes from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and a penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson.
(Image: Jason Cairndruff / POOL / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
Erik Lamela cut back on the edge of the break before Sanchez scored again to restore the tie.
Harry Kane came off the bench to score another draw after Richarlison fired Everton backwards. But Bernard resolved the tie in the seventh minute of the rebates.
Mourinho said: “We created, we had a great movement, we scored goals, we created chances. We showed great character to fight against incredible mistakes.
“But attack football only wins matches when you don’t make more mistakes than you create. We scored four goals and it was not enough.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
“It hurts everyone. The feeling is that we played very well with the ball, we were brave, we were the best team with 1-0 and in five minutes it was mistake, mistake, mistake, goal, goal, goal.
“We fought again, but we made more mistakes. It was the mouse and the cat. The mouse was our mistakes and the cat was us trying to make up for it.”
The Tottenham boss was asked after the game about Gareth Bale’s absence from the squad, and said, “Well, I think it’s better for me to say. So we played against West Bromwich on Sunday and he didn’t play.
“On Monday I was a little surprised that he wanted to take an exam because he was not comfortable with any muscle area.
(Image: Getty Images)
“So he didn’t train on Monday and then on Tuesday he trained with the team, but I was told that his desire would be to work a few days with sports science to strengthen that area where he doesn’t feel comfortable. which is why he is not here. “
Mourinho was asked whether Bale’s problem was an injury that would keep him out of Tottenham’s trip to face Premier League leader Manchester City on Saturday.
“I don’t think it’s an obvious injury,” said the manager.
“I would say that he feels uncomfortable and because of that in training he couldn’t be 100 percent, but I don’t think we can talk about an injury.”
(Image: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)
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Mourinho was asked if he would like Bale to play despite his discomfort, and he seemed irritated by the questioning line.
“Sorry, this is the press conference for Everton’s departure and Gareth was not here, and the only thing I can say about Gareth is the question I was asked and I wanted to make the situation about which I am being completely open and honest very clear. . ”