LUCAS MOURA produced a goalscoring return from injury for Tottenham – as pal Richarlison watched on and begged for his shirt.
The 30-year-old has only played 266 minutes for Antonio Conte’s side this term after being plagued by a tendon injury.
The Brazilian attacker’s last appearance was the 4-3 win over Leeds in November.
But he looks to be well on the road to recovery after shining for Tottenham’s U21 side in their North London derby away to Arsenal.
Amario Cozier-Duberry had put the Gunners ahead after just 20 minutes at Meadow Park in Borehamwood.
However, just six minutes later Spurs were level thanks to the ex-Paris Saint-Germain winger.
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Lucas met a cross from the right after a late surge into the box, and he duly volleyed the ball past the goalkeeper to level.
He also came close to a second before the break but Spurs did find themselves ahead thanks to a rocket from Nile John on the hour mark, which proved to be the winner.
Lucas was already off the pitch at that point after he was replaced at the break.
But that did not stop fellow Brazilian Richarlison from asking for his team-mate’s shirt after turning up to watch his comeback.
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The 25-year-old held up a sign that read: “Lucas could you give me your shirt?”
Lucas is in the final six months of his deal at Spurs after the club opted against activating a one-year extension before December 31.
Conte recently said: “You know this is a decision of the club and for sure this season is a difficult season for Lucas but at the same time for us.
“Honestly, in my mind when we planned the season Lucas was an important player for us.
“But if you see from the start of the season until now Lucas played maybe one game, also with pain in the Champions League against Marseille and also not the whole game with us.
“First of all I think the damage is for me and the team. A player like Lucas is a good player. Also last season he helped us reach the Champions League.
“In my mind, my plan was to have him in my squad but we didn’t have possibility to use him because of the injuries.
“It was really difficult this season especially because it happened twice that Kulusevski and Richarlison were both injured. To face this wasn’t easy.
“Then if you ask about the decision of the club, I respect the decision of the club.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
