'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Jose Mourinho's honeymoon phase at Tottenham is over
Jose Mourinho was shown a yellow card today for the most Mourinhoesque reason possible - the former Chelsea manager was trying to read Southampton's tactics by peeping into their managerial area and was booked as a result. When asked what he thought about the booking, he replied in a way which reminded the league just what type of a man he was.-
"The yellow card was fair, because I was rude. But I was rude to an idiot"
If it was not obvious before, it became obvious after this interview - Mourinho is well and truly back. This match was an indication of the fact that the manager's honeymoon period at his new club is over. Spurs have won only two of their last five Premier League games, and have lost two during the same time. With Manchester United set to face Arsenal tonight, it was a great opportunity for the Lilywhites to overtake the Red Devils and jump to the fifth position, but a loss today leaves the club at 6th with Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at their heels.
The likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane looked off today, and Spurs lacked their usual swagger which was prominent during the first few weeks of Mourinho's reign. With the festive period over and the transfer window open, it will be interesting to see how Mourinho manages his team to bounce back, or if he pressures chairman Daniel Levy into making a signing. Regardless, now is a true test of the manager's mettle as his team prepares to fight it out for a Champions League spot.
