Delighted Jose Mourinho urges Tottenham players to ‘forget’ Carabao Cup final and focus on Premier League

Manager has won all four of the League Cup finals he has reached previously

Karl Matchett
Tuesday 05 January 2021 22:41 GMT
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Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

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Jose Mourinho doubled down on his assertion that the League Cup semi-final against Brentford was Tottenham’s most important game of the season - but says now that the game is won, Spurs must “forget it” until three months down the line.

The Carabao Cup showpiece event at Wembley has been moved back to April, in the hope that more football fans could be allowed to attend the game.

Spurs ensured they will be there with a 2-0 win over their Championship opponents on Tuesday night, where they will face either Manchester United or Manchester City, but there are three other competitions beforehand that Mourinho now demands his side focus on.

READ MORE: Premier League fixtures and table - all matches by date and kick-off time

“Because of what it means [it was important]. It’s a game that takes us to a final, probably an empty Wembley final - I hope not - and I’m very happy with that,” he told Sky Sports at full-time.

"We’ve had matches this year against the biggest clubs in the country, but this one is a game that puts us in a final so it’s very important for us.

“We are going to try [to lift the trophy]. We have this final in the pocket for three months, we’re going to wait for it so we have to forget it and focus on the Premier League, FA Cup, the Europa League even before the final. We have to be ready in April to fight for the trophy.”

On the match itself, Mourinho was happy with the dominance his side displayed following the early goal by Moussa Sissoko.

Brentford played their way back into the game but clear chances for the second-tier side were few and far between thanks to Spurs’ organisation and calmness on the ball, before Son Heung-min netted the second and Josh Dasilva was sent-off late in the match for sending his studs into Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s shin as he attempted a turn.

"[We were] solid enough to win. The game was always under control against a team that are probably coming to play in the Premier League next year.

“They had one penetration on the right side when Davinson [Sanchez] was clever to not foul and the guy was clean to not [dive] do what some other guys do. I just saw the blood [on] Pierre’s leg. I didn’t look on TV but VAR is there for these decisions.”

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