Perhaps Jose Mourinho’s biggest achievement at Tottenham this season has been the transformation of the defence – and there is a stat to prove it.
Spurs kept their third successive clean sheet on the road in the Premier League on Saturday, and as reported by Sky Sports it’s the first time they have done that since between September and November 2013.
⛔️ Tottenham have kept 3 successive away PL clean sheets for the first time since Sept-Nov 2013, under Andre Villas-Boas pic.twitter.com/muAaqhx3Z8
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 29, 2020
Andre-Villas Boas was Tottenham manager at the time, meaning the Londoners failed to keep three back-to-back clean sheets away from home in the league at any point during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure.
That’s certainly a surprise considering how good Spurs were defensively when playing at their peak under Pochettino.
Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen were rocks in the middle of the back line, while Danny Rose and Kyle Walker were always able to get out of trouble with their pace.
Meanwhile, Hugo Lloris was at his very best during the first half of Pochettino’s reign – the Frenchman is currently replicating that form, which is part of the reason Tottenham are so defensively resilient right now.
Another reason, arguably, is Mourinho’s influence. Although Spurs haven’t always been fluid in possession under the Portuguese coach, they have definitely improved as a defensive unit.
Leicester banker to drop points….it’s box office Jose’s title, so Leicester will be screwed tonight….and oh look, a pen!?
Joke
Thanks gooner.