Crouch slams Mourinho's 'negative and demoralising' tactics after Chelsea loss

Peter Crouch slammed Jose Mourinho’s ‘negative’ and ‘demoralising’ tactics following Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

The result leaves Spurs four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who won thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Marcos Alonso.

Long-term injuries to Harry Kane (hamstring) and Heung-min Son (arm) have limited Mourinho’s attacking options.

And their lack of attacking intent at Stamford Bridge showed as Lucas Moura and defender Davinson Sanchez forced Willy Caballero into routine saves.

Crouch, who spent two years at Tottenham from 2009, likened Mourinho’s tactics to the way Stoke used to set up against big Premier League clubs.

He said: “I’ll be honest I’ve played in systems like this, I’m talking for Stoke City against a Manchester United or against a much better side.

“This is a Tottenham side full of talent. Moura, [Tanguy] Ndombele, [Giovani] Lo Celso – they’ve got ability to break teams down.

“I don’t feel like they have to play this way. It’s so negative and then there are no ideas.

“Obviously [Steven] Bergwijn is playing up there on his own, similarly to Dele Alli midweek [against RB Leipzig], he became so frustrated with the lack of service.

“It’s demoralising, honestly you come off the pitch and feel like you haven’t even played.”