Spurs’ new manager enjoyed a winning start. His club came out with a 3-2 London derby triumph over West Ham at London Stadium.
The first half goal from Son-Heung and Lucas Moura and a third from Harry Kane four minutes after the break gave Tottenham their first Premier League away since 20th January.
It was as comfortable as Mourinho could have hoped. This after a tumultuous week in which he replaced the former coach, Pochettino.
Under firekeeper, Roberto made an error for Son’s opener and the hosts booed off at half-time.
The win piles pressure on West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini. His side has collected two points only from their last seven games.
However, in the second half, West Ham had a come back which almost saw the club drawing with the Spurs.
The late goal from substitute Michail Antonio and Angelo Ogbonna gave the final scoreline a flattering look. But the result made a mockery of an ill-advised post from West Ham’s social media team following Mourinho’s appointment.
A comfortable start for Mourinho
In the build-up to the game, Mourinho indicated there would be no massive changes to a side that for the first five years of Pochettino’s reign, has been used to challenging for honors even if they have never won any.
Although Mourinho’s first in-match conversation with Son was to remind him of players behind him who need marking, evidently, his strength is going forward.
Son’s shot for Tottenham’s opener was fierce enough. But the ball was close enough to Roberto. It flashed past West Ham keeper for him to make a more passable attempt to keep it out.
It was a raw pace that allowed Son to stride forward into open space and cross for Moura to covert the visitor’s second.
Mourinho greeted the opener with a celebratory punch towards the ground. His reaction to the second was far more business-like. Screaming at his players, then shouting at Toby Alderweireld when he was ignored to deliver an instruction to do with team shape.
Kane’s 11th Spur goal of the season came a minute after Moura had fluffed a chance to finish off a length of the field break.
There were no more goals. However, plenty of instructions came from Mourinho. As he strolled calmly towards the bench at the final whistle, he will know there are much harder days than this to come.