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Lloris-Son Tottenham bust-up reminds Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United glory days

POOL/AFP via Getty Images
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Dimitar Berbatov has revealed he was delighted by the half-time altercation between Hugo Lloris and Heung-min Son in Tottenham's 1-0 win against Everton on Monday because of the passion Spurs showed.

In an incident manager Jose Mourinho later described as "beautiful", a clearly incensed Lloris confronted team-mate Son after the forward's lackadaisical pressing almost saw Everton equalise on the stroke of half-time.

The pair were seen embracing after the final whistle, however, with the Frenchman subsequently explaining the issue had been resolved.

Berbatov - who played 102 games for Tottenham before switching to Manchester United, where he won two Premier League titles - claimed that "anger" was not something he experienced while at the club.

"To be honest I was happy with the Spurs result against Everton, sometimes you just need grit to progress," he told Betfair.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"When I was at United and we became champions, we won most games 1-0 consistently, it's the most important result in football. Three points equal three points, no matter how you get them.

"Son and Lloris' bust up was nothing, the desire to be a winner is always high and we should see this more often from Spurs players, it shows you care, you want to win, and you have the fire to do it.

"If players aren't doing their job, they need to let each other know, even if they fight a little bit. In a way, Mourinho is right, and it was a beautiful thing to see. The only issue is that we, the fans, also saw it, and maybe it would have been better in the dressing room, but overall it's good to see the fire there.

"There were many fiery players when I was playing, everyone wanted to win. If the ref was a coach, you could bust up with them, with other players, there were fights often broken up.

"It was like this a lot at United, when [Nemanja] Vidic was kicking someone and didn’t care, you would argue and fight, but afterwards you know it's OK. We all wanted to win, and we knew that of each other.

"If I did something wrong, Giggsy would tell me, and I would say to myself 'come on now'. Patrice [Evra] was in a bust up a few times, Vidic also, it was mostly defenders as they're the tough ones.

"I don't remember the last time Spurs did that, they have been very controlled with no anger. It was a pleasant surprise, I was like 'finally', he is captain and that is his job to let them know to be better.

"Again, maybe wait for the dressing room, but in that moment it can be an uncontrollable impulse. it was passionate, it was necessary, and when it comes from your captain you take it on the chin and do better next time."

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