Eric Dier runs down Tottenham tunnel during Chelsea clash for toilet break with Jose Mourinho sprinting after defender

ERIC DIER was spotted sprinting down the tunnel to use the toilet during Tottenham’s Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea, leaving Jose Mourinho running after him.

With 15 minutes to play – and Spurs trailing 1-0 – the England man was spotted charging off the pitch.

Many onlookers believed Dier was simply being subbed – until Mourinho was seen chasing after him.

The Spurs defender emerged from the tunnel moments later.

Reports from the ground later claimed Dier had simply dashed off to use the toilet.

That was later confirmed by Mourinho… and Dier.

After winning the game on penalties, Mourinho explained the drama – slamming football’s authorities for making stars play twice in 48 hours.

He claimed: “What happened to Eric Dier is not normal… I have to praise him in a special way.

“It should be forbidden for a player to play two games in 48 hours at this level. What he did is not human to do.

“He had to go [when he ran off] – he had no chance.

“Maybe it is a normal thing when you are completely dehydrated which is the case, I had to put pressure on him to get back but he is a great example for everybody.

“If the authorities don’t care about players, I care.”

And Dier added: “After playing on Sunday it wasn’t easy, maybe that’s the reason I had to run off but we got through it!

“All of the staff and the players put the effort in.

“Jose wasn’t happy but there was nothing I could do about it, nature was calling.

“I heard there was a chance while I was off the pitch but thankfully they didn’t score.”

It’s not the first time Dier has darted off the pitch during a cup game.

In fact, in Dier’s last domestic cup outing – the FA Cup penalty shootout defeat by Norwich, he charged into the stands to confront a fan.

He was charged by the FA for leaping over the advertising hoardings and racing up the West Stand to protect younger brother, Patrick.