• TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris 6 – He made a comfortable save from a tame header from Ivan Toney, but was guilty of failing to deal with a header across the face of his goal, which saw the ball end up in the net but ultimately disallowed for offside. Getty
    TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris 6 – He made a comfortable save from a tame header from Ivan Toney, but was guilty of failing to deal with a header across the face of his goal, which saw the ball end up in the net but ultimately disallowed for offside. Getty
  • Serge Aurier 6 – A bit wasteful in possession at times but looked dangerous when attacking. He made a crucial block at Ivan Toney’s expense after Sanchez failed to clear. Getty
    Serge Aurier 6 – A bit wasteful in possession at times but looked dangerous when attacking. He made a crucial block at Ivan Toney’s expense after Sanchez failed to clear. Getty
  • Davinson Sanchez 6 – Was usually in the right place at the right time, winning his headers and doing enough to keep Toney quiet. He made a good block at the start of the second half to deny Canos, but was bailed out by Aurier when, moments later, he first failed to clear and then almost gave away a penalty. AP
    Davinson Sanchez 6 – Was usually in the right place at the right time, winning his headers and doing enough to keep Toney quiet. He made a good block at the start of the second half to deny Canos, but was bailed out by Aurier when, moments later, he first failed to clear and then almost gave away a penalty. AP
  • Eric Dier 7 – The more comfortable of Tottenham’s central defenders. Solid in the challenge and comfortable on the ball. Reuters
    Eric Dier 7 – The more comfortable of Tottenham’s central defenders. Solid in the challenge and comfortable on the ball. Reuters
  • Sergio Reguilon 7 – Delivered an inch-perfect cross for Sanchez to open the scoring, but had a tough first half dealing with Bryan Mbuemo. Grew into the game and, as ever, his crossing was superb. Reuters
    Sergio Reguilon 7 – Delivered an inch-perfect cross for Sanchez to open the scoring, but had a tough first half dealing with Bryan Mbuemo. Grew into the game and, as ever, his crossing was superb. Reuters
  • Moussa Sissoko 8 – Before the game he talked about the importance of scoring the first goal, and he ended up providing it. He made a run between the two centre-backs and guided a free header into the net. Kept up a fierce intensity all game. PA
    Moussa Sissoko 8 – Before the game he talked about the importance of scoring the first goal, and he ended up providing it. He made a run between the two centre-backs and guided a free header into the net. Kept up a fierce intensity all game. PA
  • Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7 – Such a formidable presence in the middle, he provided an effective barrier in front of the back four. Was on the wrong end of a studs-first challenge from Dasilva near the end and was substituted. PA
    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7 – Such a formidable presence in the middle, he provided an effective barrier in front of the back four. Was on the wrong end of a studs-first challenge from Dasilva near the end and was substituted. PA
  • Lucas Moura 5 – A largely ineffective performance from the Brazilian, who made way for Harry Winks. He worked hard, but couldn’t make an impact in the final third. PA
    Lucas Moura 5 – A largely ineffective performance from the Brazilian, who made way for Harry Winks. He worked hard, but couldn’t make an impact in the final third. PA
  • Tanguy Ndombele 8 – The Frenchman got a full 90 minutes and oozed class alongside Hoijberg. Kept the ball well and was battling right to the last minute. Provided the pass for Son to score the second. Reuters
    Tanguy Ndombele 8 – The Frenchman got a full 90 minutes and oozed class alongside Hoijberg. Kept the ball well and was battling right to the last minute. Provided the pass for Son to score the second. Reuters
  • Heung-Min Son 7 – Made a crucial block from Dasilva by throwing his body on the line before the break. He then made the game safe with a clinical finish. AFP
    Heung-Min Son 7 – Made a crucial block from Dasilva by throwing his body on the line before the break. He then made the game safe with a clinical finish. AFP
  • Harry Kane 6 - Looked tired and didn’t get his first sight on goal until the second half. His closest effort was well worked; a neat first touch from a free kick was followed by a goalbound shot with his second, but was well saved by Raya. AP
    Harry Kane 6 - Looked tired and didn’t get his first sight on goal until the second half. His closest effort was well worked; a neat first touch from a free kick was followed by a goalbound shot with his second, but was well saved by Raya. AP
  • SUBS: Harry Winks (Moura, 74) – N/A Came on, worked hard, and provided Spurs with a bit more balance. Reuters
    SUBS: Harry Winks (Moura, 74) – N/A Came on, worked hard, and provided Spurs with a bit more balance. Reuters
  • Ben Davies (Reguilon, 74) N/A – Was brought on to protect Tottenham’s lead and did just that, though he was beaten in the air at the back post on one occasion. Carlos Vinicious (Son, 89) N/A - Made some good runs but saw little of the ball. Japhet Tanganga (Hoijberg, 86) N/A – A solid cameo in front of the back four as he returned from injury. Reuters
    Ben Davies (Reguilon, 74) N/A – Was brought on to protect Tottenham’s lead and did just that, though he was beaten in the air at the back post on one occasion. Carlos Vinicious (Son, 89) N/A - Made some good runs but saw little of the ball. Japhet Tanganga (Hoijberg, 86) N/A – A solid cameo in front of the back four as he returned from injury. Reuters
  • BRENTFORD RATINGS: David Raya 7 – Could do little about the opening goal but kept Brentford in the game when, moments after Sissoko’s effort, he saved Son’s effort from inside the area. Made a couple of key stops. PA
    BRENTFORD RATINGS: David Raya 7 – Could do little about the opening goal but kept Brentford in the game when, moments after Sissoko’s effort, he saved Son’s effort from inside the area. Made a couple of key stops. PA
  • Henrik Dalsgaard 5 – Found it hard keeping pace with Spurs when they attacked, and was lucky not to get booked for a lunge on Son. Getty
    Henrik Dalsgaard 5 – Found it hard keeping pace with Spurs when they attacked, and was lucky not to get booked for a lunge on Son. Getty
  • Ethan Pinnock 7 – An accomplished performance, particularly when dealing with Kane. Showed good strength and composure on the ball, and kept pace with Spurs on the break. AFP
    Ethan Pinnock 7 – An accomplished performance, particularly when dealing with Kane. Showed good strength and composure on the ball, and kept pace with Spurs on the break. AFP
  • Mads Bech Sorensen 6 – Did well with the ball at his feet but was guilty of ball watching when Sissoko snuck into the box to head the opener. EPA
    Mads Bech Sorensen 6 – Did well with the ball at his feet but was guilty of ball watching when Sissoko snuck into the box to head the opener. EPA
  • Rico Henry 8 – Looked superb on the ball when attacking and also accomplished when defending. Showed good pace and all-round awareness. Looked every inch a Premier League player. Getty
    Rico Henry 8 – Looked superb on the ball when attacking and also accomplished when defending. Showed good pace and all-round awareness. Looked every inch a Premier League player. Getty
  • Joshua Dasilva 7 – Played well but sometimes slowed Brentford’s attacking play by taking an extra touch. Was red carded for his challenge on Hoijberg late on. AP
    Joshua Dasilva 7 – Played well but sometimes slowed Brentford’s attacking play by taking an extra touch. Was red carded for his challenge on Hoijberg late on. AP
  • Vitaly Janelt 6 – Like Sorensen, he was completely unaware of Sissoko’s run for the first goal. Was sometimes overrun in the middle, but showed his quality when he had the ball. Reuters
    Vitaly Janelt 6 – Like Sorensen, he was completely unaware of Sissoko’s run for the first goal. Was sometimes overrun in the middle, but showed his quality when he had the ball. Reuters
  • Mathias Jensen 6 – Worked hard for the Bees and passed the ball well but couldn’t really influence the play where it mattered. PA
    Mathias Jensen 6 – Worked hard for the Bees and passed the ball well but couldn’t really influence the play where it mattered. PA
  • Bryan Mbeumo 7 – Got the wrong side of Reguilon on several occasions and was a threat all evening. Loved to run with the ball at his feet. AP
    Bryan Mbeumo 7 – Got the wrong side of Reguilon on several occasions and was a threat all evening. Loved to run with the ball at his feet. AP
  • Ivan Toney 6 – A game of few opportunities for the Bees’ top striker. He had a header in the first half but was put under pressure by Sanchez. He then had a goal disallowed in the second half when, after heading home, he was adjudged to have been offside. AFP
    Ivan Toney 6 – A game of few opportunities for the Bees’ top striker. He had a header in the first half but was put under pressure by Sanchez. He then had a goal disallowed in the second half when, after heading home, he was adjudged to have been offside. AFP
  • Sergi Canos 5 – A disappointing night for Canos who showed plenty of endeavour but was ineffectual. PA
    Sergi Canos 5 – A disappointing night for Canos who showed plenty of endeavour but was ineffectual. PA
  • SUBS: Tariqe Fosu (Canos 74) N/A - Looked sharp when he came on and should probably have been introduced earlier. Lively, and showed some nice touches. EPA
    SUBS: Tariqe Fosu (Canos 74) N/A - Looked sharp when he came on and should probably have been introduced earlier. Lively, and showed some nice touches. EPA
  • Marcus Forss (Mbuemo, 81) N/A - Got 10 minutes but didn’t really get much of a chance to show what his ability.
    Marcus Forss (Mbuemo, 81) N/A - Got 10 minutes but didn’t really get much of a chance to show what his ability.
  • Emiliano Marcondes (Janelt,74) N/A - Had a good effort from a tight angle and forced Lloris into a save. Reuters
    Emiliano Marcondes (Janelt,74) N/A - Had a good effort from a tight angle and forced Lloris into a save. Reuters

Football

League Cup still has prestige for trophy-hunting Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho

After Spurs' semi-final win over Brentford, Portuguese coach makes it clear he wants to win English football’s third-best prize

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey
London

January 07, 2021

  • English
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The beauty of any piece of silverware is in the eye of the beholder. The League Cup may be English football’s third-best prize in terms of prestige, but as of Tuesday night it had a dazzling gleam even for a manager with league titles in four different countries and has won Europe’s leading club competition twice.

For all those decorations, and the moments in his career when Jose Mourinho has spoken in withering terms of certain prizes – “the Europa League would be a disappointment for me,” he said when Rafa Benitez won it at Chelsea in 2013.

The Europa League suddenly looked more handsome four years later when Mourinho’s Manchester United lifted it – he recognises that context applies the shiniest polish to a trophy.

Twenty-one years ago, when a young, ambitious Mourinho was promoted, for an evening, from assistant coach to Louis Van Gaal at Barcelona to main man in the technical area to take charge of the low-key Catalan Cup final, it certainly did.

No matter that Barca merely needed to beat lower-division Mataro to win a strictly regional trophy. It was Mourinho’s first Cup that he could call his own. That made it a very special one.

As a manager he has won 17 knockout competitions, including those two Champions League titles, with Porto and Inter Milan, Uefa Cup/Europa League gold medals with Porto and Manchester United and the main domestic Cup in each of the four countries he has worked in – Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.

Add the clean sweep of Super Cups, or Community Shield, one-offs – and Mourinho likes those to be counted – and the league titles, and Mourinho is averaging close to a trophy for each year he has been working as a manager.

The club Mourinho has guided to the final of the League Cup, where they will meet Manchester City old foe from Manchester, are not so blessed.

The drought of trophies at Tottenham Hotspur, whose last success in a final was the 2008 EFL Cup, is a notorious burden. It was to that long wait a jubilant Mourinho addressed himself after Brentford had been beaten 2-0 in a semi-final that advertised the sound organisation and drive he has instilled at Spurs.

The lesser of the English Cups matters to every club, Mourinho emphasised. Winning it endorses pedigree. “If you see the winners [list] you realise the big clubs want it,” he said. “Who was the last winner apart from the normal top six? Swansea.” That was back in 2013. “I remember Man City winning a lot of times, Chelsea winning a lot of times, I remember United winning a few times. I remember Liverpool in finals, and Arsenal.”

The list of winners over the last seven years heavily features City. The list over the last 16 seasons features another serial champion repeatedly, too: Mourinho.

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Spurs beat Chelsea on penalties in League Cup fourth round: player ratings

  • SPURS RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 7: No chance with Werner goal and denied the German a second with a good stop in second half. No saves in shootout but Spurs still ran out winners. PA
    SPURS RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 7: No chance with Werner goal and denied the German a second with a good stop in second half. No saves in shootout but Spurs still ran out winners. PA
  • Japhet Tanganga - 6: Early error almost gifted Hudson-Odoi first-half goal. Worked hard, some decent challenges if not totally convincing. Reuters
    Japhet Tanganga - 6: Early error almost gifted Hudson-Odoi first-half goal. Worked hard, some decent challenges if not totally convincing. Reuters
  • Toby Alderweireld - 7: A rock at the back for Spurs alongside Dier. The Belgian made crucial challenges on the ground and in the air. PA
    Toby Alderweireld - 7: A rock at the back for Spurs alongside Dier. The Belgian made crucial challenges on the ground and in the air. PA
  • Eric Dier - 7: Gave Spurs a first-half scare when seemed to have picked up a knee injury but recovered to help mark Giroud out the game. Gave them another fright when he suddenly sprinted off the pitch in the second half – for a toilet break – leaving his team a man down and Mourinho charging down the tunnel after him. AP
    Eric Dier - 7: Gave Spurs a first-half scare when seemed to have picked up a knee injury but recovered to help mark Giroud out the game. Gave them another fright when he suddenly sprinted off the pitch in the second half – for a toilet break – leaving his team a man down and Mourinho charging down the tunnel after him. AP
  • Serge Aurier - 6: Handed opportunity by Bergwijn early in second half but hit disappointing left-foot finish wide. Booked for poor challenge on Jorginho. AP
    Serge Aurier - 6: Handed opportunity by Bergwijn early in second half but hit disappointing left-foot finish wide. Booked for poor challenge on Jorginho. AP
  • Gedson Fernandes - 6: Rare start for Portuguese midfielder. Felt he should have had first-half penalty when Mendy and Zouma combined to deny him a shot at goal. Rightly turned down. Hooked just after the hour mark. PA
    Gedson Fernandes - 6: Rare start for Portuguese midfielder. Felt he should have had first-half penalty when Mendy and Zouma combined to deny him a shot at goal. Rightly turned down. Hooked just after the hour mark. PA
  • Tanguy Ndombele - 6: Will have annoyed his manager when he failed to close down an Azpilicueta shot just before the hour mark. A decent performance, particularly in second half, but you still should be getting more for your £54 million. PA
    Tanguy Ndombele - 6: Will have annoyed his manager when he failed to close down an Azpilicueta shot just before the hour mark. A decent performance, particularly in second half, but you still should be getting more for your £54 million. PA
  • Moussa Sissoko - 7: Immense in the middle for Spurs, does so much work off the ball and is understandably a key player for Mourinho. AFP
    Moussa Sissoko - 7: Immense in the middle for Spurs, does so much work off the ball and is understandably a key player for Mourinho. AFP
  • Sergio Reguilon - 6: Debutant was badly at fault for Chelsea’s goal when he lost possession in his own half and was then left for dead on the deck by Azpilicueta, who eased past his desperate diving challenge before setting up Werner. Should have done better with chance early in second half but side-foot finish easily stopped by Mendy. Cross set up Lamela’s equaliser. A mixed bag. EPA
    Sergio Reguilon - 6: Debutant was badly at fault for Chelsea’s goal when he lost possession in his own half and was then left for dead on the deck by Azpilicueta, who eased past his desperate diving challenge before setting up Werner. Should have done better with chance early in second half but side-foot finish easily stopped by Mendy. Cross set up Lamela’s equaliser. A mixed bag. EPA
  • Steven Bergwijn - 6: Dutchman barely featured in disappointing first 45 minutes. Much more energy after break, slicing early shot wide and making more incisive runs up front. Reuters
    Steven Bergwijn - 6: Dutchman barely featured in disappointing first 45 minutes. Much more energy after break, slicing early shot wide and making more incisive runs up front. Reuters
  • Erik Lamela - 8: Started up front alongside Bergwijn, in absence of Kane and Son, produced fine turn and low shot in first half but was denied by the boot of Mendy. Put in a shift and deserved his late goal – as did Spurs. Reuters
    Erik Lamela - 8: Started up front alongside Bergwijn, in absence of Kane and Son, produced fine turn and low shot in first half but was denied by the boot of Mendy. Put in a shift and deserved his late goal – as did Spurs. Reuters
  • SUBS: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - (On for Fernandes 63’) 7: Slotted straight into midfield as team were dominating. Reuters
    SUBS: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - (On for Fernandes 63’) 7: Slotted straight into midfield as team were dominating. Reuters
  • Harry Kane - (On for Tanganga 70’) 6: Early opportunity when he skipped past Tomori but could only blaze chance over bar. A player you want on the pitch for a shootout when he coolly slotted home. AP
    Harry Kane - (On for Tanganga 70’) 6: Early opportunity when he skipped past Tomori but could only blaze chance over bar. A player you want on the pitch for a shootout when he coolly slotted home. AP
  • Lucas Moura - (On for Bergwijn 76’) 6: Scored in Shootout. Reuters
    Lucas Moura - (On for Bergwijn 76’) 6: Scored in Shootout. Reuters
  • CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 6: Debut for the big-money buy from Rennes saved well from Lamela after 35 minutes and made regulation stop from Reguillion just after break. Nervous moments on crosses that should concern Chelsea. EPA
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 6: Debut for the big-money buy from Rennes saved well from Lamela after 35 minutes and made regulation stop from Reguillion just after break. Nervous moments on crosses that should concern Chelsea. EPA
  • Cesar Azpilicueta - 7: Made Reguillion look silly before calmly setting up Werner’s goal. Blasted second-half chance over the bar. EPA
    Cesar Azpilicueta - 7: Made Reguillion look silly before calmly setting up Werner’s goal. Blasted second-half chance over the bar. EPA
  • Fikayo Tomori - 7: Vital tackle on Bergwijn to deny Dutchman shot early in second half. Chelsea’s defence has rightly been criticised but played well alongside Zouma. Reuters
    Fikayo Tomori - 7: Vital tackle on Bergwijn to deny Dutchman shot early in second half. Chelsea’s defence has rightly been criticised but played well alongside Zouma. Reuters
  • Kurt Zouma - 7: Desperate last-ditch challenge helped stop Fernandes grabbing a first-half goal. Other important tackles in a good performance. AP
    Kurt Zouma - 7: Desperate last-ditch challenge helped stop Fernandes grabbing a first-half goal. Other important tackles in a good performance. AP
  • Ben Chilwell - 7: Another debutant for Chelsea, the £45m signing from Leicester found plenty of space down the left in first half but saw less attacking opportunities as the match wore on. Solid start and much-needed game time. AFP
    Ben Chilwell - 7: Another debutant for Chelsea, the £45m signing from Leicester found plenty of space down the left in first half but saw less attacking opportunities as the match wore on. Solid start and much-needed game time. AFP
  • Jorginho - 7: Italian midfielder was his usual neat and tidy self, providing quality distribution and is a fulcrum for Chelsea. Hop, skip and goal in shootout. Reuters
    Jorginho - 7: Italian midfielder was his usual neat and tidy self, providing quality distribution and is a fulcrum for Chelsea. Hop, skip and goal in shootout. Reuters
  • Mateo Kovacic - 6: Booked in first half for cynical trip to deny Lamela run on goal. Lost midfield battle after the break as Spurs took charge. AFP
    Mateo Kovacic - 6: Booked in first half for cynical trip to deny Lamela run on goal. Lost midfield battle after the break as Spurs took charge. AFP
  • Callum Hudson-Odoi - 8: A constant menace down the right and helped give Reguillon a tough opening 45 minutes in English football. Fired first-half chance straight at Lloris. Smashed shot over the bar after break when teammates were better placed. AP
    Callum Hudson-Odoi - 8: A constant menace down the right and helped give Reguillon a tough opening 45 minutes in English football. Fired first-half chance straight at Lloris. Smashed shot over the bar after break when teammates were better placed. AP
  • Mason Mount - 6: Pushed and probed without any game-changing moment - until the bitter finale. Should have done much better in second half when Chelsea were two-on-one but gifted possession straight to Spurs. Miss in shootout sent Chelsea crashing out. EPA
    Mason Mount - 6: Pushed and probed without any game-changing moment - until the bitter finale. Should have done much better in second half when Chelsea were two-on-one but gifted possession straight to Spurs. Miss in shootout sent Chelsea crashing out. EPA
  • Timo Werner - 7: Cracked home quality low finish to put Chelsea in front after 19 minutes. Quiet after the break until a 70th-minute shot was saved by Lloris. AFP
    Timo Werner - 7: Cracked home quality low finish to put Chelsea in front after 19 minutes. Quiet after the break until a 70th-minute shot was saved by Lloris. AFP
  • Olivier Giroud - 4: Disappointing night for the French striker. Could have done with more support at times as won a few challenges in the air and had no one to pick up the loose ball, but generally offered no threat to Spurs. EPA
    Olivier Giroud - 4: Disappointing night for the French striker. Could have done with more support at times as won a few challenges in the air and had no one to pick up the loose ball, but generally offered no threat to Spurs. EPA
  • SUBS: Emerson - (On for Chilwell 66’) 5: Awful defending for Lamela’s late leveler. Redeemed himself by scoring in shootout.
    SUBS: Emerson - (On for Chilwell 66’) 5: Awful defending for Lamela’s late leveler. Redeemed himself by scoring in shootout.
  • N’golo Kante - (On for Kovacic 70’) 6: Brought on to try and stem the Tottenham tide as Mourinho’s side were dominating all over the park. Getty
    N’golo Kante - (On for Kovacic 70’) 6: Brought on to try and stem the Tottenham tide as Mourinho’s side were dominating all over the park. Getty
  • Tammy Abraham - (On for Giroud 76’) 6: Scored in shootout. Getty
    Tammy Abraham - (On for Giroud 76’) 6: Scored in shootout. Getty

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Three times he lifted the League Cup, as it is also known, at Chelsea, twice in an era when league titles were still scarce there.

In his second Stamford Bridge spell he won it again. Four seasons ago, the League Cup was the first of his knockout successes at Manchester United. In all, no manager has won the competition more than Jose Mourinho, and if he wins it a fifth time, he will overtake a pair of immortals in Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough.

If he was brought to Tottenham, mid-season in late 2019, principally to ensure top-four status in the Premier League, his reliable habit of collecting silverware addressed a nagging concern. The record of rapid impact is stunning: At every club Mourinho has joined, a trophy has been achieved in his first full season in charge.

To what did he owe that special knack? “There is no secret. I came to England [to Chelsea] in 2004 and I had to learn the meaning of the cups here. If there is any secret it's to take it seriously. I sense in the team exactly that desire.

“I'm not saying ‘winning mentality’, I'm not saying we are ‘this’ or ‘that’. I just say the guys, since the first game against Chelsea, then Stoke, and now [against Brentford] took it seriously.”

Take it as guaranteed: Wherever Spurs – who have finished runners-up in the Champions League, the Premier League and in a League Cup final all within the last six years – find themselves in the Premier League table, in the Europa League or FA Cup, when April’s EFL Cup final comes around, they will approach it very seriously indeed.

Tottenham Hotspur