EPL: Mourinho defends Harry Kane over Brighton penalty incident

Tottenham manager, Jose Mourinho, has defended his captain Harry Kane following suggestions the striker was “clever” in winning a crucial penalty against Brighton.

Kane was awarded a penalty in the first half of Tottenham’s 2-1 win on Sunday, after colliding with Brighton midfielder Adam Lallana.

Referee Graham Scott initially awarded Tottenham a free-kick but VAR Jonathan Moss reviewed the incident and changed the decision to a penalty, after replays showed the collision had occurred inside the Brighton area.

Kane scored the penalty and defended his actions after the match, describing it as a “50-50 decision”, and Mourinho has hit back at suggestions the striker was “clever” and “streetwise” in winning the penalty.

“You are confused because you could be speaking about some Manchester United players, you could be speaking about some Manchester City players, you could be speaking about some Liverpool players, you could be speaking about some Chelsea players,” said Mourinho.

“And you are speaking about Harry Kane? Who was in a position to control the ball in a dangerous position and Lallana comes with a very reckless action and committed a foul.

“Why are you speaking about being clever or not being clever? Being clever is to hold the ball, and shoot and score. It was a foul.”