Mourinho backs much-improved Fulham after derby draw

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Jose Mourinho said he was unsurprised by Fulham’s spirited display to earn a 1-1 draw against his Tottenham side.

Mourinho was critical of Whites boss Scott Parker’s complaints about the match being rearranged only on Monday after it was called off earlier this month due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Fulham squad.


Parker’s team battled hard for a deserved point after fielding a full-strength side, with an Ivan Cavaleiro header equalising Harry Kane’s opener.

Mourinho felt the hosts did enough to win the game, but said Fulham showed they have enough quality to stay in the Premier League.

“They started the Premier League in a way that was going to see them relegated,” said the Spurs boss.

“But they were intelligent and adopted a different way to change the team and since then they are getting good results.

“I have to believe and I know that the top people at Fulham Football Club that we are dealing with honest people and of course they had problems (with Covid).

“Of course the reason why we didn’t play the game when we should have was for a very good reason.

“But the reason why they were not happy to play today is a different question. But in the football world it is difficult to keep secrets.

“Somebody will tell somebody who will tell somebody and we knew for a few days they were ready and had players to come in.

“We knew Mitrovic picked up an injury and was not a Covid situation.”