Hugo Lloris hailed the squad’s spirit as the lads recovered from Wednesday’s Champions League heartache and the early loss of talisman Harry Kane to injury to thrash Bournemouth 4-1 on Sunday.
We staring poorly and looked to be suffering a European hangover following the midweek defeat to Juventus when we fell behind to Junior Stanislas’ goal in the 7th minute at the Vitality Stadium.
Harry then limped off with an ankle injury but we equalised soon after through Dele Alli, and Son Heung-Min’s double and a late goal from Serge Aurier sealed a comfortable win which moved us above Liverpool into third and prompted me to put a few quid on with 10Bet for us to finish above the reds in the league.
“I’m pleased with the way we bounced back, especially after conceding early in the game,” Lloris said afterwards.
“We had a big disappointment on Wednesday night and it was important to bounce back in the league because we have ambition and we want to be back in the Champions League as soon as possible.
The captain added: “They put a lot of energy into the first 15 or 20 minutes and they were rewarded with a goal. To switch from Champions League game with a lot of pressure is never easy, and it’s true we used a lot of emotion and physical effort on Wednesday night.
“Bournemouth took to the game in the right way. We tried to stay strong and after 1-0 down we had to be even stronger because if we conceded a second goal it would be even more difficult. We stayed calm and, as we’re used to doing, we stuck to our basics, our principles, built up our confidence through the game and 1-1 at half-time was very good for us.
“We were not as down as you think. We were very disappointed but at the same time we were proud because we competed well against one of the biggest clubs in Europe.We work every day for a reason. We’re very close and we want to get even closer together. It belongs to the work, to the mentality. If we want to put this club higher.”
Our equaliser came just moments after Kane had been replaced by Erik Lamela, while their third goal immediately followed the introduction of Moussa Sissoko for Alli, who was suffering from fatigue.
“It’s about the spirit inside the squad,” Lloris explained. “Obviously the manager has to pick the starting XI and then you have a bench and some players are out of the bench.It’s not easy to make this choice but the spirit is fantastic because we’re all pushing in the same way. The best answer is when Lamela came on, [Kieran] Trippier came on. It’s very important and gave a lot of energy to the team. That’s why today we’re in this position.”
Son’s double made it seven goals in a fortnight for the South Korean, who is expected to continue up front against Swansea in Saturday’s FA Cup quarterfinal if Kane, who will have a scan on Monday, is ruled out for any significant period.
“Today Son, yesterday Harry, tomorrow we don’t know,” Lloris stated.
“It’s normal to focus on the scorer but it’s not only their responsibility. Behind that is a big team work and I prefer to give credit to that than individual teammates, even if they make the job.If we’re in this position today — quarterfinal of the cup and third position in the top four — it’s because of all these players.”
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