Jose Mourinho
Important win and a clean sheet?
Yeah, important win. Of course we need points and of course three better than one. I believe that we really showed from the first minute that we were coming for that. The first half was a good half for us. Second half was harder. They put some pressure on us but I believe that when we made the changes we brought a new energy and dynamic into the team. We brought the danger to the other side. Even being a solid block to defend we were the team with the best chances to score in the last ten minutes. There was Lamela dribbling the ball, Harry face to face with Areola and we took good control of the game in the last 10-15 minutes, the control that we lost in the 15-20 in the middle of the second half but in the end of course three points for us and very important.
Right in the mix now in the table?
I don’t want to look at the table. I want to win matches and especially for us, a team in two competitions, the next match is Premier League but then the next one is Europa League. I don’t want to look too much to the table, I don’t want to see anything good or bad about that. I just want to try to win matches and that’s what we did today and of course another one is coming fast on Sunday. We go again and we try again.
Why did Dele Alli start tonight?
He deserves. Was not a gift. Was a consequence of his work since he come back to the team. Work and working with the team 100% and becoming fully fit and ready to play. He was giving us important things. He did very well in Europa League. He did very well every minute on pitch coming from pitch, against West Ham, against Burnley, he was deserving. In this moment we need squad. So many matches coming so fast. Of course we need it. We cannot change the structure of team. We can change 2-3 players which today we did with Dele, Ben and Matt. I happy with what they gave to the team. For Dele it was important to have a feeling of a Premier League start.
Why did you start with the Fab Four?
I like them all, and Vinicius and Bergwijn and was not even on the bench. We have this group of eight players for these attacking positions and I like them all so it depends on the moment, it depends on the work, it depends on the match plan and the position, the accumulation of matches. The previous two matches it was Lucas that was starting and he needs a rest. We could feel him coming in the last 20 minutes could give elevation to the team. The squad is working really well, it is a normal situation to give players time, we had guys on the bench, we have a good squad and I have to use it because it is very hard.
What is your view of the handball rule?
My view is not important, I don’t make decisions. The rule gives space to interpretation and you have to accept the interpretation of the official. Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes against you.
