Fired-up Sherwood accuses Benfica boss Jesus of lacking class after three-fingered taunt late on in disappointing defeat

By Laura Williamson

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Spurs manager Tim Sherwood accused Jorge Jesus of lacking class after the Benfica boss’s touchline histrionics during Tottenham’s 3-1 Europa League defeat.

Jesus responded to Luisao’s third goal by sticking three fingers up at Sherwood and waving goodbye.

The pair did not shake hands after the final whistle after clashing repeatedly throughout the match and Sherwood said he had ‘no intention’ of speaking to the Portuguese ahead of next week’s second leg in Lisbon.

Mocking? Tim Sherwood was angry after Jorge Jesus showed just how many goals Benfica scored...

Mocking? Tim Sherwood was angry after Jorge Jesus showed just how many goals Benfica scored...

Controversy: The Tottenham manager shows his anger after the visitors all-but-sealed the tie

Controversy: The Tottenham manager shows his anger after the visitors all-but-sealed the tie

Break it up: An official has to keep the two emotional managers apart at White Hart Lane

Break it up: An official has to keep the two emotional managers apart at White Hart Lane

Disappointed: Sherwood was unhappy with the lack of class shown by the Benfica manager

Disappointed: Sherwood was unhappy with the lack of class shown by the Benfica manager

Angry scenes: Sherwood and Jesus go head to head
Walk away: Sherwood turns his back on Jesus

Angry scenes: Sherwood squares up to and then turns his back on Jesus in anger

Sherwood said:  ‘I thought his team were very good and showed a lot of class. It’s just a shame... (their manager did not).

‘In the first two minutes he was going over to the fourth official saying I was stepping in his box.

‘Waving goodbye like that? It lacks class. Why would anyone do that? He’s got a good side, of course he has, but not for me thank you. I have no intention of speaking to him.’

Jesus said it was ‘Sherwood’s problem’ if he felt the 59-year-old had shown him disrespect, and added: ’Maybe here in England the benches are too close together, compared to in Portugal. In Portugal we have more space and we can demonstrate ourselves in our own way.

‘When at some stage I invaded Tim Sherwood’s personal space, he told me to go to mine. He did the same to me. But it’s okay, it all ended quite friendly.’

Match winner: Centre-back Luisao scored twice to put Benfica well on their way to the next round

Match winner: Centre-back Luisao scored twice to put Benfica well on their way to the next round

Match winner: Centre-back Luisao scored twice to put Benfica well on their way to the next round

Free header: Luisao was unmarked to double the visitor's advantage

Free header: Luisao was unmarked to double the visitor's advantage

Free header: Luisao was unmarked to double the visitor's advantage

Despondent: Tottenham players react to that second goal

Despondent: Tottenham players react to that second goal

Sherwood was also subjected to stark criticism from former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker, who took to Twitter to claim Spurs had been ‘outplayed and out-thought’ in their Europa League clash.

The Match of the Day presenter also criticised Sherwood for ‘berating his players’ after the Spurs manager questioned his players’ character following Saturday’s 4-0 defeat by Chelsea.

Sherwood said: ‘I don’t really know Gary Lineker, to be honest. He’s entitled to his opinion. He’s a top pundit. I don’t know what the hidden agenda is.

‘If you’re going to make the comments I’ve made... If you’re going to lose players, they’re probably the ones you don’t want anyway.

‘I had no problem with the desire and effort tonight. That’s what I questioned and asked for.

‘They were better than us, weren’t they? They’re better than us. They had a lot of attacking threat.

‘It’s a blow, but I had no problem with the attitude or desire. It’s just we have to hold our hands up and say they’re a class above.’

Great support: Benfica players celebrate in front of their fans who had travelled from Portugal

Great support: Benfica players celebrate in front of their fans who had travelled from Portugal

Painful: Emmanuel Adebayor walks off at the end of the game

Painful: Emmanuel Adebayor walks off at the end of the game

Cool finish: Rodrigo puts Benfica in front at White Hart Lane after racing behind Kyle Naughton

Cool finish: Rodrigo puts Benfica in front at White Hart Lane after racing behind Kyle Naughton

Great start: The former Bolton forward celebrates his goal in front of the home fans

Great start: The former Bolton forward celebrates his goal in front of the home fans

Fine strike: Christian Eriksen curled in a free-kick to give Tottenham some chance in the tie

Fine strike: Christian Eriksen curled in a free-kick to give Tottenham some chance in the tie

Fine strike: Christian Eriksen curled in a free-kick to give Tottenham some chance in the tie

Younes Kaboul defended his side's spirit, insisting that the tie is not over, but also admitting that Tottenham must 'work a bit harder'.

Asked if Tim Sherwood was right in saying the team lacked character [against Chelsea last weekend], the defender replied: 'Not at all. It's not because we've lost two games in a row. We've got a big squad with big qualities.

'We need to work a bit harder.

'When we scored the goal it gave us a push. We tried. The other goal killed us. It was too late.

'In football anything is possible. We're going there to win.

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

Stop whinging you big girl, you were an annoying, long haired clown when you played and i see no evidence to suggest you have changed. You got well beaten in a Mickey Mouse cup and it was hilarious.

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Benfica did nothing outstanding,because Spurs are in an awful state due to the chairmanship of Mr.Levy.For a lot less Alan Sugar had to leave. It's nobody's fault but Daniel Levy's.What Jorge Jesus did to Sherwood it's called bad manners or lack of good education,not that Jorge Jesus is a bad manager or a bad man,but he definitely hasn't got a good culture,broadly speaking . So it was never Redknapp ,AVB or Sherwood's fault that Tottenham are in this situation as far as it's football team is concerned.

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it's what you get when you can't even make a mark in a mickey mouse cup, tim.

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He having a go at the opposition manger last night, he had a go at the players the weekend. He must realise he picks the team, they play to his tatics, so the buck stops at his door. So grow up and take it on the chin

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He showed his own lack of class by taking the bait.

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Never liked Benfica,they are not big in football anymore,and I don't see how they can be in the future . In Portugal FC Porto is the best football club. Yesterday they were better than Spurs,but who isn't these days? at least while Mr. Levy is involved in the Club I see no way for them to be in a better position. Jorge Jesus has done that before in Portugal to another Portuguese manager,it's a matter of education,even for a good man and a good coach like he is.

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Poor Tim. Not use to this football management thing is he

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Spurs are being somewhat hypocritical. I remember watching them play at the San Siro when Joe Jordan hurled abuse onto the pitch for most of the game....was that an example of their idea of class?

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Were you at the game or on the couch?

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Did you need to be at the game to see it?

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I didn't like what Benfica Manager did last night. I think Sherwood was right to complain and Jesus should get fined for such behavia. Total discrase From CFC fan

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How do you not know how to spell behaviour and disgrace. Jesus Christ son. Also, I don't think it was anywhere near bad enough to warrant a fine.

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How do you not know how to spell behaviour and disgrace. Jesus Christ son. Also, I don't think it was anywhere near bad enough to warrant a fine.

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Sorry Tim! If your team aint good enough you've got to take to take the flak.

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