Spurs boss Jose Mourinho: ‘I am normally right, so nothing surprised me’

Europa League: Group J

LASK 3 (Michorl 42, Eggestein 84, Karamoko 90+3)
SPURS 3 (Bale 45+2 pen, Son 56, Alli 88)

SPURS meandered into the knockout stages of the Europa League courtesy of a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw away at LASK this evening (Thursday).

Jose Mourinho’s side thought they had done just enough to hold off their hosts in a match where Tottenham rarely showed their pedigree, but still found themselves leading 3-2 with seconds remaining.

Mamoudou Karamoko curled past Joe Hart in added-time, however, to earn the Austrians a deserved 3-3 draw.

It was a night that threw up more questions than answers about what sort of competition lies within the Spurs ranks.

With the majority of the first XI rested for Sunday’s north London derby against Arsenal, Tottenham’s understudies did not cover themselves with glory.

Speaking after the game, Mourinho was disappointed that those squad members trying to catch his attention had not stepped up to the plate.

“I had a feeling when we were warming up that there was a difference in intensity and commitment,” he said.

“It is a question of attitude. I share my feelings with the players – and I am normally right, so nothing surprised me.”

Asked what he had learned, Mourinho added: “Nothing new, really. The fact that the Europa League group phase doesn’t motivate some of the players, I knew it.”

The result at the Linzer Stadion doesn’t change the complexion – Spurs now need to beat Royal Antwerp next Thursday to win the group – but for the quality on the pitch, Mourinho would have wanted more.

LASK forward Peter Michorl put his side ahead in the first-half with a drive from the edge of the box – reward for the home sides adventurous approach.

Spurs were fortunate to head in at half-time level after Gareth Bale converted from the penalty spot, before Heung-Min Son completed the comeback on 56th minutes.

A late scare, when Johannes Eggestein beat Hart at his near post on 86, looked to have been made redundant when Dele Alli converted a second Spurs penalty to make it 3-2 just minutes after LASK had drew level.

But there was more drama to come as substitute Karamoko curled a shot into the far corner in stoppage-time to deservedly even the scores.

LASK: Schlager, Wiesinger, Holland, Andrade, Ranftl, Madsen, Michorl, Renner, Gruber (Reiter, 69), Eggestein, Goiginger, (Karamoko, 69)
Substitutes not used: Cheberko, Ramsebner, Potzmann, Plojer, Haudum, Gebauer

Spurs: Hart, Doherty, Davies, Tanganga, Sanchez, Lo Celso (Dier, 71), Ndombele (Bergwijn, 65), Hojbjerg, Bale (Aurier, 82), Moura (Sissoko, 65), Son (Alli, 82)
Substitutes not used: Austin, White, Clarke, Whiteman, Scarlett, Winks