Jose Mourinho's return to football management got off to a dream start as his first game in charge of Tottenham saw them win 3-2 at West Ham.
Mourinho's 11-month absence from the game ended this week when he replaced Mauricio Pochettino on Wednesday and he needed only three days to lift Spurs' misfiring stars.
First-half goals from Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura - both incisive attacks - were added to by Harry Kane's header after the break as Tottenham won away in the Premier League for the first time in 308 days, even though late goals from Michail Antonio and Angelo Ogbonna skewed the scoreline.
It extended the 56-year-old's incredible record of not losing a first game in charge of a club since his first job as Benfica's manager way back in 2000.
Mourinho had stuck to his pledge of not changing too much from how Pochettino had set them up, but they played with confidence and intent, something that was missing in the latter part of the Argentinian's spell in north London.
There will be far bigger challenges ahead than this for Mourinho, but the way the front four linked up will give great promise that Spurs can climb up the table and challenge for a top-four spot.
Dele Alli, someone who Mourinho had told to start playing like himself, was back to his best, Son was electrifying, Moura played with purpose and Kane led the line superbly.
West Ham had been a mere footnote in the build-up to the game as the focus had unsurprisingly all been on the Portuguese's return, but Manuel Pellegrini's position at the London Stadium will come into focus after a dismal display, despite the late goals.
This was their sixth defeat in eight games in all competitions, with no wins since September, and with the home fans jeering their side and manager, Pellegrini must fear for his job.
The Hammers were not helped by their social media team posting a video - that was eventually deleted - goading Mourinho about previous poor results against the London club.
There was never any danger of this being another Red Letter Day as Spurs, with Mourinho prowling the touchline, controlled the game from the first whistle.
Kane thought he had given them a perfect start inside the opening 10 minutes but he was offside after being played in by Alli.
After Son and Moura had gone close Spurs took a deserved lead in the 36th minute after a spell of pressure.
Alli played in Son down the left and the South Korean continued his penchant for scoring big goals by firing through the hands of Roberto, though the West Ham goalkeeper should have done better.
Spurs had Mourinho producing a knee-slide nine minutes later as they doubled their lead with an impressive goal.
Alli did well to keep the ball in, setting Son free at the same time, and the latter's cross was rammed home at close range by Moura.
It was a big afternoon for Moura, who was named in the starting line-up after Mourinho had revealed he tried to sign him when he was in charge of Real Madrid, and he delivered an important goal.
Moura had already missed a great chance to add his second by the time Kane made it 3-0 in the 49th minute as the England captain notched his 21st goal of the season for club and country.
He was picked out superbly by Serge Aurier's cross and planted a header in the back of the net to leave Mourinho chuckling on the sidelines.
For a period of time it looked like it could have been as big a win as Spurs wanted, but West Ham at least restored some pride in the 73rd minute.
Antonio - a half-time substitute - got on the scoresheet with a rifled effort into the bottom corner from Mark Noble's pass.
The hosts, who had been dreadful for so much of the game, looked like setting up a grandstand finish when Declan Rice swept home Sebastian Haller's header, but VAR ruled that he was offside.
Ogbonna did get one back for West Ham with the very last action, scoring from a corner, to skew the scoreline, but this was Spurs' day.
This was Mourinho's day.
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Jose Mourinho wins his first game in charge of Tottenham, but will be annoyed that Spurs got lazy at the end and their defence looked poor for the two goals they let in late.
That's Tottenham's first away win since January in the league and Spurs go to sixth in the table on 17 points, above Arsenal on goal diffeence
For West Ham it is now eight games without a victory in all comps, and four defeats out of five in the league. They are five points off the relegation zone, although one point better off than this time last season.
Ogbonna
Just as I spoke, West Ham do get another back. From a corner Ogbonna heads in
Two minutes left and Spurs have done well to slow West Ham down again now. Apart from the offside goal, West Ham have failed to create another clear chance in injury time
All Hammers now and Snodgrass, who has done well today, wins a corner. Comes to nothing
Could you imagine if that goal had counted and we had six minutes of injury time with one goal in it.
Tottenham are lucky boys
VAR rules it out correctly.
Corner from the right, headed down to the far post and Rice taps in from a foot out. But he is offside. Not clear if ball was going in anyway, but looks like it would have just gone wide if Rice hasn't touched it
Huge let off for Spurs.
West Ham have another back. But could be offside - VAR
Tottenham have been poor and lazy since going 3-0 up. West Ham now pushing for the second goal to make a granddtand finish. They have a corner
Well, as much of a fight as you can get on a football pitch, so it isn't actually a fight, just a bit if hugging.
Kane goes in slightly late on Snodgrass. He reacts by bear hugging the England captain from behind and Kane jumps up in the air in theoretical style, which was not needed and looked silly.
Yellow for both
Moura's day is done, having scored today, with Sissoko on. Moura is the latest player to get a big hug from Jose
Kane hits one from 35 yards. He knows what he is doing here, just making sure he hits the target knowing he is firing at a poor keeper. So he is hoping for a mistake or spill.
Credit to Roberto as he holds the bouncing ball for once, but so could of his gran
Eriksen, who scored a few while on international duty is off and Alli is on.
Alli was superb in the first half, but quiet in the second. He gets a big high five and pat on the back from his new gaffer as he goes to the bench
West Ham, who like to score late goals, are 7/2 to score the next goal
Spurs are 7/4 to get the next one.
No more goals is 5/6
ANTONIO
He has deserved that as West Ham's only player to show any effort in this second period.
Spurs have got a bit slower and lazy in defence and they fail to fully clear a cross. When the ball comes back Noble drives to the edge of the box, flicks to Antonio, who dummies the return pass to free up space. As he falls to ground he fires it forward and into the net. Fantastic powerful finish giving the keeper no hope.
West Ham free kick 20 yards out and Harry Kane jumps highest in the wall to take the ball right in the face. It is brave and keen and clearly hurt. He's down for a little bit, a bit shaken, and will be okay to play on
Antonio has been West Ham's best player since coming on at half time and his drive forward forces Ben Davies to commit the foul and is booked for his effort
🤷♂️ 'I asked him if he was Dele or Dele's brother'
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) November 23, 2019
🙋♂️ 'He told me he was Dele.'
👍 'OK,' Jose Mourinho said. 'Play like Dele'
😏👇 #THFC #WHUTOT pic.twitter.com/EHvIXYThKS
Diop, on a yellow card, is subbed off and replaced by Sanchez, who gets a mixed reception from the home fans.
Diop, by the way, is suspended for the next game due to this latest yellow card.
This is West Ham's final sub and it sees a defensive midfielder come on, and Rice go to centre-back - what's going on???
At the other end Kane beats the offside trap and races in on the left of the box. He goes to fire home from eight yards out Diop comes from nowhere and makes an excellent slide tackle to stop goal four.
Kane made to pay for taking time to switch feet to hit with his right rather than left
Gazzaniga's day as a spectator is finally over and be becomes a goalkeeper again, having to catch a mid paced shot at his near post. Easy save from Antonio's effort
At 3-0 Tottenham picked up the energy and pushed for four.
But in recent moments have slowed the pace and been happy to keep possession around halfway
Kane gets in on the act to make it 3-0
📈 175 Spurs goals
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) November 23, 2019
👨💼 5 managers
💪 36th strike in 55 London derbies
🙌 21 goals for club and country this season
Harry Kane gets in on the act 🔥 #WHUTOT #THFC pic.twitter.com/oTZ9V9HKf6
Kane was injured in scoring his goal and has been getting a few kicks recently. So you wonder if he will be taken off to protect him with the game won. So might not be worth going for him to score again.
If he does see out the majority of the game he probably will score again, as is looking dangerous.
Yarmolenko is off and looks a deflated man, Fornals comes on
⚒️ The pressure will be piling on Manuel Pellegrini as they close in on EIGHT games without a win...
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) November 23, 2019
👀 Penny for your thoughts, West Ham fans?
🤔 #WHUFC #WHUTOT pic.twitter.com/XGBKRjX8HS
Over 5.5 goals is 7/2 and over 4.5 is 11/10.
West Ham look totally shot here, they have no fight or desire in them and that is showing in their defence, with no one marking tightly or fighting to get to the ball first
KANE
And there is the third. Tottenham, having almost scored a moment again, do now strike. Cross from Aurier on the right is pinpoint, right onto the head of Kane six yards out and it is in. Again Roberto maybe could have saved it.
The England captain is injured in the process, but eventually gets up and is okay.
He was 4/5 to score any time and and 7/2 to score the third goal.
Moura - what have you done???
West Ham hit a terrible free kick into the Spurs box, which is easily cleared. Moura picks up and gets to Son on halfway.
He drives forward and plays Moura back in, one-on-one he gets caught in two minds whether to shot or square, he does a mix of both and it goes wide of the far post when it should have easily been 3-0.
Great counter attack though, a third is already coming
West Ham go to 4-4-2, with Snodgrass moved out to the wing.
Anderson is off and Antonio is on as Pellegrini desperately tries to get back into this game and potentially to save his job
Spurs have a habit of throwing away leads this season, but West Ham have been so poor so far. So how will this second period pan out
At half time Sky Bet have Price Boosted
How Tottenham went 2-0 up at West Ham. Alli, what a piece of skill
🔥 Dele Alli, STOP IT!
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) November 23, 2019
👏 Delightful flick from the Spurs man as Heung-min Son finds Lucas Moura to double their lead
Great start to the Jose Mourinho era 🙌 #THFC #WHUTOT pic.twitter.com/F8WMsI862d
What a start for Jose Mourinho and in reality it has been too easy for Spurs. They've taken their time to get going, slowly getting up to speed, ensuring they get the basics right before going up the creative gears.
When they have they've been devastating. Their two goals have come from rapid attacks, quick passing and excellent finishing.
West Ham have been poor and failed to muster any notable chances.
From a corner Sanchez heads at goal and Roberto tips over the bar. The next corner comes to nothing
But Spurs have got something on every corner today, beating their markers to every ball
The first goal of Jose Mourinho's tenure, with Son striking
🔁 Dele Alli with the assist
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) November 23, 2019
🎯 Heung-min Son with the finish
Here is Spurs' first goal under Jose Mourinho!
(Look away now, Roberto and Hammers fans 🙈)
👇 #THFC #WHUFC #WHUTOT pic.twitter.com/4spdxPOS8O
MOURA
A fantastic goal from Spurs with another rapid attack.
It all comes from a moment of brilliance from Alli. He receives the ball on the left wing, back to goal, and as he turns away he falls over while doing it. While on his back he somehow back heels the ball - keeping it in ball by 1mm - it is incredible skill and awareness
The ball is picked up by Son, who races down the left, crosses to the back post across the six yard box and Moura makes up five yards on the defender to beat him to the tap in
From the resulting free kick Roberto races to the edge of the box and makes a poor punch clearance. Well off his line a Spurs player tries a chip over him but doesn't get hold of it and Roberto gets back to push it wide of his goal
Poor ball from Noble allows Son to pick up the loose ball, Fredericks panics and slides into Son. It is a nasty challenge, with his studs hitting the ankles of Son. He gets a yellow carded for it. But VAR is looking at it too....but decides a yellow is enough
Son is clearly in real pain, but eventually gets up after treatment
That's nine goals this season from 16 appearances for the South Korean and the first of the Jose Mourinho era.
SON
Quick decisive play from Tottenham rips West Ham apart. Great first touch pass from Alli releases the on rushing Son into the box.
He still has so much to do, but a great step over fools his marker and gives him space from a tight angle on the left to shoot across goal.
Roberto should do better and push it away, but he seems to misjudge the flight of the ball and in it goes
Two corners in a row for Spurs, the second of which is curled right under the crossbar and under huge pressure from a number of bodies Roberto does well to punch clear to the edge of the box. Rebound shot is easily blocked and cleared
West Ham are getting into this one now and dominating last few minutes. That has been inspired by Noble and Rice getting into the contest and starting to dominate in midfield.
So lovely passes and powerful, purposeful driving runs from both in recent moments to start building some energy into this West Ham side
Fantastic ball from Noble with the outside of his boot to release Anderson down the left, beating the offside trap.
He drives in on goal, but his square ball across the box is behind Haller. He can't control it while having to spin backwards and Tottenham clear it up.
Had that pass been in front of Haller he'd have had a clear sight on goal from 18 out
West Ham are trying to get down both wings, but only finding success down their right so far. They've got two crosses into the box from that side and both have made Tottenham's defenders look worried and less than convincing.
Son gets himself free on the left edge of the area. He curls into the top far corner, but Roberto always knew where he was aiming and dives across to punch away.
Mauricio Pochettino's first game in charge of Spurs was against West Ham and ended in a 1-0 win. He went on to have an excellent five-and-a-half years. Will the same happen for Mourinho
Both sides are keeping it simple, trying to get the short passes complete and keep possession. Clearly both teams are short of confidence and thus avoiding the flair plays so far.
Diop goes into the book for West Ham. Seems harsh, as he seemed to be fouled first by Kane.
Free kick from the left wing curled in by Winks to the back post. Roberto comes out and should catch easily, but he spills it and pushes the ball into the body of Sanchez, it hits the onrushing big man but deflects wide of the open net.
Offside flag goes up anyway, but so poor from the keeper
Can the Special One inspire Dele Alli to regain his star dust.
So far the answer is yes. He's set up Kane's disallowed goal. Then played another great ball through to Kane, who goes in on goal again, but again offside.
West Ham break down the right, cross comes in with a deflection that loops to the back post and Haller jumps high from six out to head towards goal, however he gets it wrong, heads it sideways, but it hits a Spurs defender and goes towards goal, but only straight to a grateful Gazzaniga in goal
All Spurs so far, passing it around nicely around halfway, but then becoming wasteful and slow with the ball once in the final third.
But they will be pleased with the space their creative players are getting in the final third.
West Ham hardly touched it so far
Harry Kane fires the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box - but was a foot offside, no need for VAR
Great ball from Winks, to Alli, to Kane and excellent finish. Worrying space being left by West Ham's markers
This intriguing London derby kicks off with the focus on the two big men in the dug out
Michael Oliver is the ref, with Andre Marriner on VAR.
West Ham: Roberto, Cresswell, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Rice, Noble, Snodgrass, Yarmolenko, Anderson, Haller.
Subs: Martin, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Sanchez, Fornals, Ajeti, Antonio.
Spurs: Gazzaniga, Davies, Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Dier, Winks, Alli, Moura, Son, Kane.
Subs: Austin, Rose, Walker-Peters, Sissoko, Lo Celso, Foyth, Eriksen.
The teams step out at the London Stadium, really interesting to see Jose stand in the tunnel and hug and shake hands with every Spurs players as they walked out.
Tottenham's Harry Kane has scored 28 goals in 45 Premier League London derbies.
Only Thierry Henry (43), Teddy Sheringham (32) and Frank Lampard (32) have netted more goals in such games.
Kane averages a goal every 132 minutes in these fixtures, second only to Thierry Henry (one every 114 minutes, minimum 10 goals).
West Ham captain Mark Noble has written into today's programme...
“Well, I thought nothing could shock me in football after all these years, but this week’s events in north London have done just that!
"I was surprised Mauricio Pochettino was replaced, just a few months after leading Spurs to the UEFA Champions League final, and I was surprised again when Jose Mourinho was appointed as his replacement.
“I do think it’s a good appointment though. I love Jose Mourinho as a manager and the bottom line for me is his CV and the titles teams have won under his management.
"I’ve enjoyed my battles with his sides down the years and we’ve got the better of them a couple of times, including our win over Manchester United here last season, and I’m obviously hoping we can ruin his debut as Spurs manager this afternoon, too.”
Our ACC came in at 12/1 last week - so like buses, we are hoping that two come along at once.
Head here to back Stoke, Rotherham, Peterborough and Forest Green all to win - at 18/1
Our team discuss the future of Tottenham under Mourinho
For a lot of Tottenham fans they hold a concern that their football will become negative, defensive and boring. But the fact is they need to tight up at the back.
Mourinho's form in this area is excellent, as the stats show...
Goals conceded per game
"The match today is important, but so is our future."
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 23, 2019
"I need to understand what is in Eriksen's heart and make the right decision for the club."
Jose Mourinho speaks to @DesKellyBTS ahead of his first match in charge of Spurs...#EarlyKickOff pic.twitter.com/sdU6l96ldk
Our football experts have been mulling over this one and are tipping...
Tottenham to win and over 1.5 total goals at 21/20
With their poor performances of late, it remains to be seen whether Manuel Pellegrini's side will score, but the odds-against price available on the visitors to win with two or more total goals in the game looks too good to turn down, hopefully setting us up to cover the rest of the day's fancies.
Read all our day's Premier League tips, covering every match, here
In a big game you need your captain and Mark Noble has been passed fit to start this one
West Ham: Roberto, Cresswell, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Rice, Noble, Snodgrass, Yarmolenko, Anderson, Haller.
Subs: Martin, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Sanchez, Fornals, Ajeti, Antonio.
Angelo Ogbonna replaces Fabian Balbuena and Andriy Yarmolenko returns to the side in place of Pablo Fornals, who drops to the bench.
Jose's first Tottenham team line up is......
Spurs: Gazzaniga, Davies, Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Dier, Winks, Alli, Moura, Son, Kane.
Subs: Austin, Rose, Walker-Peters, Sissoko, Lo Celso, Foyth, Eriksen.
It sees Dier move from centre back to centre midfield, with Winks getting a start in there too
The first game for Jose, will it be the last for Manuel Pellegrini?
West Ham have failed in win in seven in all competitions, losing four Premier League games in that period.
The last time the Hammers were on such a bad run they sacked Slaven Bilic and replaced him with David Moyes.
Pellegrini is 5/1 to be the next manager to be sacked, still behind Emery, Hasenhuttl and Solskjear and you wonder why the Hammers board would not sack him during the international break, only to fire him this weekend if they fail to win this one
Mourinho is always a story and no doubt they will be magic, controversial and confrontal moments in equal measure along his Spurs journey.
It feels it will either be a great success or complete disaster. How do you feel it will finish?
Let's start with the postive.....
Onto the negative....
The Special One, The Humble One, and now The Spurs One, Jose Mourinho is back in football after an 11 month break.
Tottenham are his third English club, as he looks to add more silverware to his already bulging trophy cabinet, and more important end his new club's 11 year wait for a trophy.
He will have to win both players and fans over who were so smitten with Mauricio Pochettino, especially with many expecting 'less than exciting' football. But if he gets them up the league, into the top four and even a trophy this season or next then Mourinho will remain the world why he deserves the special one's tag
Hello everyone on another wet and miserable day - but the Premier League is back after that boring international break, so that can cheer us up!
What a week we've had to make this round of top flight matches even more intriguing. Yes, Jose is back and he is the centre of attention - just as he likes it - for this lunch time kick-off, as his new Tottenham side head to another struggler in West Ham.
We have the whole game covered in the first of our three live blogs this afternoon, which concludes with Manchester City v Chelsea at 17.30 GMT.
*Odds via Sky Bet and correct at time of publication
The headline fixture in the Premier League this weekend comes from the Etihad, as Man City host Chelsea in Saturday's evening kick-off.
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