Mathys Tel feels Tottenham Hotspur deserved to win against Manchester United
Mathys Tel doubled his Premier League goal tally for the season when Tottenham Hotspur faced Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium just before the international break.
Matthijs de Ligt’s stoppage-time goal for Manchester United denied Spurs all three points on Saturday, with late efforts from Mathys Tel and Richarlison not enough to secure a win for the hosts. Thomas Frank opted to bring in Tel off the bench with 11 minutes to play for Xavi Simons, with Man United leading 1-0 thanks to Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half header. The Spurs boss’ decision to introduce the Frenchman for Xavi was met with loud boos from the home fans, but eventually it turned out to be the right move.
Five minutes after his introduction, Tel cleverly turned in the box and fired a deflected effort past Man United goalkeeper Senne Lammens to make it 1-1. However, De Ligt’s 96th-minute header from a corner earned United a draw, breaking Tottenham supporters’ hearts.
Tel thinks Tottenham should have beaten United at home
Credit where it is due, Tel immediately made an impact after coming on to the pitch and silenced his naysayers. It was his goal that shifted the momentum, before Richarlison made it 2-1. In the end, a 2-2 draw felt like a fair result, but the France under-21 international thinks Tottenham deserved three points.
“The reaction in the second was very positive, we showed a great mentality,” Tel told the club’s official website.
“I would say we deserve to win this game because we gave a lot. For sure, it’s disappointing, but I would say we need to stay positive because we didn’t lose.
“We knew we needed to give 100% energy, defensively and offensively. That’s what we tried to do in the second half and that’s why we scored the first goal and the second one. It was a good reaction from the team. It’s a good point to take, so stay positive.”
Tel repaid Frank’s faith in him
In Tottenham’s injury-plagued season, Tel has been available to the gaffer and done well as an impact substitute. The 20-year-old continues to rotate between Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert on the left flank, and he has also operated as a No.9.
Given the Sarcelles-born talent’s impressive cameo against United, it would not be a surprise if Frank opts to start him in Tottenham’s games after the international break. As it stands, the Danish tactician made the right call by introducing Tel for Xavi against Ruben Amorim’s side, as he managed to repay his gaffer’s faith with intent and industry.
