Jose Mourinho has defended Harry Kane and has hit back at suggestions the Tottenham forward was ‘clever’ in winning a penalty against Brighton last weekend.
Kane scored from the penalty spot during Spurs’ 2-1 victory over Brighton last weekend but has come under fierce criticism for his role in winning the spot-kick, the England captain appearing to back into the direction of Adam Lallana as the Seagulls’ midfielder challenged for an aerial ball.
An unbalanced Lallana then fell onto the Spurs striker with referee Graham Scott initially awarding a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, before changing the decision to a spot-kick upon review with VAR.
Martin Keown criticised Kane’s act as ‘dangerous play’, whilst former Spurs player Peter Crouch suggested the forward knew what he was doing as he backed himself into Lallana who ‘only had eyes for the ball’.
Mourinho, however, has hit back at criticism of Kane and described Lallana’s foul as a ‘reckless’ challenge, before questioning why the media were critical of his player and not those at several Premier League rivals.
“Harry Kane was in a position to control the ball and Adam Lallana came in a reckless fashion,” Mourinho told the press ahead of his sides Europa League clash with Ludogorets.
“Why are you saying it is clever? Clever is taking the ball and scoring a goal. It’s a foul.
“I thought it was a direct free-kick but VAR said it was inside the box because it was on the line. What are we talking about being clever?
“Harry Kane just wants to score goals. Lallana was reckless. Why are you speaking about us? Speak about Liverpool, Manchester United, City and others with ‘clever’ players and getting penalties. Don’t speak about Harry Kane.”
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