• Jose Mourinho approaches the fourth official after the Sterling simulation incident. Getty Images
    Jose Mourinho approaches the fourth official after the Sterling simulation incident. Getty Images
  • Jose Mourinho reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Getty Images
    Jose Mourinho reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Getty Images
  • Jose Mourinho approaches the fourth official after the Sterling simulation incident. Getty Images
    Jose Mourinho approaches the fourth official after the Sterling simulation incident. Getty Images
  • Giovani Lo Celso speaks with manager Jose Mourinho. Action Images via Reuters
    Giovani Lo Celso speaks with manager Jose Mourinho. Action Images via Reuters
  • Jose Mourinho reacts during the match with Manchester City. EPA
    Jose Mourinho reacts during the match with Manchester City. EPA
  • Jose Mourinho gives Erik Lamela instructions. Getty Images
    Jose Mourinho gives Erik Lamela instructions. Getty Images
  • Jose Mourinho reacts during the match with Manchester City. Getty Images
    Jose Mourinho reacts during the match with Manchester City. Getty Images
  • Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their second goal with manager Jose Mourinho, Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso. Reuters
    Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their second goal with manager Jose Mourinho, Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso. Reuters
  • Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho shakes hands with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Reuters
    Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho shakes hands with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Reuters
  • Jose Mourinho reacts during the match with Manchester City. EPA
    Jose Mourinho reacts during the match with Manchester City. EPA
  • Jose Mourinho during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Getty Images
    Jose Mourinho during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Getty Images
  • Son Heung-Min celebrates with teammates and Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho. AFP
    Son Heung-Min celebrates with teammates and Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho. AFP

Jose Mourinho takes touchline drama to a new level during Tottenham's victory over Manchester City


Ian Oxborrow
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Jose Mourinho's touchline theatrics will produce quite a showreel by the time he brings an end to his colourful managerial career.

But of all the clips included, surely the pitch-side incident during Tottenham Hotspur's 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday will be the pick of the bunch.

With City losing ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool and Tottenham stuttering in the race for a top four finish to qualify for the Champions League next season, emotions were understandably running high.

Add in the long-standing rivalry between Mourinho and City boss Pep Guardiola and it was a recipe for high drama.

Does Mourinho ever disappoint in this respect? Certainly not here.

The incident in question occurred during the first half as City were awarded a penalty when Serge Aurier fouled Sergio Aguero.

Ilkay Gundogan saw his spot kick saved by Hugo Lloris, and Mourinho was understandably thrilled on the touchline – but not for long.

A quick word in his ear from his assistant and the joy was shattered, replaced in an instant by raw rage as the realisation set in that City's Raheem Sterling hadn't been given a second yellow card for simulation in the aftermath of the missed penalty.

Sterling was earlier given a yellow card for a nasty-looking foul on Dele Alli.

The clip has gone viral on social media with football fans noting the extensive range of emotions displayed by Mourinho in such a short space of time.

Upon receiving little comeback from the fourth official, Mourinho then turns his annoyance on referee Mike Dean and gestures for Sterling to be given another card – an act which is usually frowned upon in English football.

The 2-0 victory took Tottenham into fifth place and Mourinho was a little more forgiving towards the officials afterwards.

"The game started immediately with the wrong decision. It's a red card, it's a direct red card to Sterling," he said.

"I know that Mike Dean has a difficult job. He's on the pitch and it's 200 miles an hour. I wouldn't like to be a referee because it's so difficult. Sometimes I try in training sessions and I realise that it's too difficult. So for me Mike Dean, good performance. The problem is the VAR."