Jose Mourinho’s defence of Harry Kane dismissed as Arsenal legend Martin Keown recalls BROKEN SHOULDER from similar challenge to Tottenham star’s

Arsenal legend Martin Keown still thinks Harry Kane was guilty of dangerous play against Brighton – and reveals a similar challenge from former Brazil star Leonardo broke his shoulder.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho was forced to launch a passionate defence of Kane after accusations of gamesmanship during the 2-1 victory over Brighton on Sunday.

Mourinho was left baffled by the accusationsGetty Images - Getty

Adam Lallana bundled the striker over while challenging for a header, but many feel the Spurs man was more interested in positioning himself for the foul rather than winning the ball.

Speaking at his press conference on Wednesday, Mourinho said: “You are confused.

“Harry Kane was in a position to control the ball and Lallana came in a reckless fashion. Why are you saying it is clever?”

“Clever is taking the ball and scoring a goal. It’s a foul.

“I thought it was a direct free-kick but VAR said it was inside the box because it was on the line. What are we talking about being clever?

“Harry Kane just wants to score goals. Lallana was reckless.

“Why are you speaking about us? Speak about Liverpool, Manchester United, City and others with ‘clever’ players and getting penalties. Don’t speak about Harry Kane.”

It was a discussion sparked by Keown’s comments on Match of the Day 2, which he stands by.

The Arsenal legend accused Kane of endangering Lallana, who fell from a serious height after tumbling over the Tottenham man’s back.

Kane’s intentions have been questioned this weekAFP or licensorsKeown knows it could’ve been worse for LallanaRex Features

And it turns out those comments were inspired by Keown’s own experiences of being backed into – including one particular incident against Brazil.

Back in 1997, the former England defender was ruled out for four months after Leonardo did a similar move to the one Kane pulled on Lallana.

Responding to Mourinho’s rant, Keown told talkSPORT: “He’s just protecting his own player, but he just has a completely different opinion to mine.

“There’s no axe to grind with the England captain. But for me when you go for a ball in that manner, Kane took a look over his shoulder and backed in.

Keown broke his shoulder after trying to win a header 23 years agoRex Features

“Then he bends over, makes a back and knows that Lallana can only fall over him.

“Invariably, referees, who don’t understand that gamesmanship, give the foul.

“I’ve suffered on the back of that. I broke a shoulder in a high-level match, playing for England against Brazil; Leonardo backs in and I went over the top of him and broke my shoulder. I took four months to come back from that, it’s dangerous play.

“In that incident, Kane would have to take a lie detector test for us to know for sure, but I think Harry knows what he’s doing.

“I don’t think he’s trying to endanger his opponent, I don’t think he’s trying to get a penalty, but I think he’s trying to get a free-kick.”