Mourinho prior to Wednesday meeting between his side and Newcastle United have never won at St. James Park.
After a derby victory over Arsenal, Tottenham were back in action on Wednesday as Mourinho waited quite long to break his winless streak at the St. James Park.
They were unchanged from last outing on Sunday, with Serge Aurier starting two days after his younger brother Christopher Aurier was shot dead.
While Steve Bruce made three changes at the back from last weekend’s defeat by Watford with a wing-back formation.
Mourinho claimed his first ever win at St. James Park following Tottenham’s 3-1 win against Newcastle United.
A brace from Harry Kane and a strike from Son Heung-Min made it back-to-back wins for Mourinho’s men.
Match Review
At the beginning of the game, Newcastle United started the far brighter, had more possession and created far more chances.
However, just ahead of the half-hour mark, Son Heung-Min gave the visitors a lead as they went into the break.
As second-half ensued, Newcastle United came back alive in the game as Matt Ritchie got a leveler, making it 1-1.
Newcastle United could not keep the leveler for long as the parity only lasted for four minutes when Harry Kane’s header from a Steven Bergwijn deep cross found the back of the net, putting Tottenham Hotspur in front again.
That brought Harry Kane’s career club goal to 200, 184 for Tottenham and 16 for loan clubs, Millwall, Leyton Orient and Leicester City.
Harry Kane extended Spurs lead to 3-1 and his tally to 201 as a Martin Dubravka’s parry from Lamela shot found him from close range, heading in a third for the night for Tottenham.
The win might not have been clinical for Tottenham as the host team dominated a greater half of the game.
This win takes Spurs up to seventh on the league log as they surge for European competition next season with two games left in the EPL.
Reactions
Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho spoke about his form in the league and the importance of European football next season after the game.
“Since I started we are fourth in the table. If we cannot get the Champions League then the Europa League is important.
Spurs victory at St. James Park was very special to Mourinho as he paid tribute to his former mentor, Sir Bobby Robson.
The Portuguese owes his rise to stardom as he’s often tagged ‘Special one’ to the Robson, having began his coaching career under the iconic boss at both Porto and Sporting Lisbon, working initially as a translator before becoming his assistant.
Jose Mourinho said of the outing; “For me it’s a good feeling, yes, not because it was the only stadium in the English Premier League where I had never won before, I have no problems with that”.
“But of course, I am very happy for the team and finally I can leave the stadium and pass Mr. Robson’s statue and laugh with him because everytime I come here, I leave the stadium and I look at him with a sad face”.
“It’s the first time I can leave the stadium and smile”.
Harry Kane
Kane on the other hand dedicated the victory to teammate Serge Aurier following the date of his brother Christopher Aurier.
“That win was for you @Serge-aurier”.
“Very good to reach 200 club goals”.
“On to the next 200; and swiftly received the approval of his manager”, Kane retweeted.
Steve Bruce
Also, Steve Bruce wasn’t found wanting as he applauded his team’s performance and admonished his players to do better in the remainder of the fixtures.
“It’s the best we’ve played in a long time, they were excellent”.
“Realistically we were safe months ago, so the challenge has been can we finish as best as we can?”.
“Their attitude and application was excellent today and you don’t always get what you deserve”.
“We were naïve after we equalized and we gave Harry Kane too much room”.
“You know it’s a goal and that’s the difference, that quality at the top of the pitch”.
Opta Stats
Only Liverpool and Manchester City have won more Premier League games than Tottenham since Mourinho’s first game in November.
Only against Alex Ferguson (17) has Newcastle manager Steve Bruce managed more Premier League matches without winning than he has against Mourinho (10).
Newcastle had 22 shots, the most they have had in a Premier League game this season and the most they have had in a defeat in the competition since October 2018 v Brighton (27).
Son Heung-Min has had a direct hand in 21 Premier League goals this season (11 goals and 10 assists), his best return in a single season in the competition.
What’s Next
Spurs host Leicester City on Sunday July 19, at 18:00 Cat.
While Newcastle United go to struggling side, Brighton on Monday July 20, at 18:00 CAT.
