Jose hails Tanguy’s ‘complete performance’

Jose Mourinho described Tanguy Ndombele’s goal as ‘amazing’ but was more impressed with the midfielder’s ‘complete performance’ in our 3-1 win at Sheffield United on Sunday.

Tanguy’s goal certainly captured the imagination of players, pundits and fans alike as he showed the vision to lift Steven Bergwijn’s pass from the left angle over Aaron Ramsdale and into the far corner with the outside of his right foot.

That made it 3-1 and proved crucial as the home side looked for a way back into the game after David McGoldrick reduced arrears to 2-1 on the hour. We’d earlier forged ahead 2-0 in the first half thanks to Serge Aurier’s header and Harry Kane’s clinical strike.

It was the French international’s 14th start of 18 and first 90-minute stint in the Premier League so far this term, and he’s featured in 24 of our 31 games in all competitions, scoring four goals.

“Tanguy was really amazing in every aspect of his game,” said Jose. “The control of the game, the control of the pace of the game, a good understanding with Pierre and Pierre always covering his back, Tanguy coming with the game, with the creation, with the passing but also tactically trying to cover the central zone with Pierre very well.

“The goal is amazing, but I don't care about the goal, I care about the performance and the performance was magnificent and I'm really pleased that he's come to this level.

“He's playing very, very well. It's the second or third time he has played 90 minutes (this season) and 90 minutes of a game with high intensity, because Sheffield United play high intensity football, we play high intensity football, we press very, very high, not easy for our midfielders to cope for 90 minutes with the intensity of the game.

“He did that and apart from that, he was very, very good on creation, in transporting the game, in coming out on transitions, trying to assist attacking players. His performance was very, very complete.”

Match highlights