Jose's verdict on Bournemouth

Jose Mourinho praised the spirit of the team after making it three wins in a week under his leadership.

Victories against West Ham and Olympiacos in the Champions League were followed by Saturday’s 3-2 defeat of Bournemouth at the new stadium.

We edged an open first half and took the lead through Dele on 21 minutes. We really clicked into gear at the start of the second half, scored two more goals – Dele connecting with a Toby Alderweireld pass again (50) and Moussa Sissoko’s first goal since October, 2017 – only for Bournemouth to strike back through Harry Wilson’s free-kick (73) and finish (90+6) for the final 3-2 scoreline.

Jose said: “It’s a game that, after 3-0, I think everybody was thinking 5-0 because it was an amazing period that we had in the second half, full control, playing fluid, finding lots of space and the game was so easy.

“Premier League, one goal, and the story changes. A little, because we still had chances to score the fourth goal, but then we had 3-2 with seconds to go. This is the mentality in this country. It’s not game over until the end.

“We didn’t start well, this game. Against West Ham, we started really, really well. In the two matches at home we didn’t start well. We have to be more aggressive, more dominant, like we were at the beginning of the second half.

“The second half was so solid that I didn’t see us conceding a goal. Then the free-kick and the game is open again. But I would be much, much more worried if we couldn’t produce good football, if we couldn’t score goals, then I would be much more worried, if the team didn’t have the spirit and resilience until the end. Three matches, no time to rest, really hard - but amazing spirit.”

Dele shone again and Jose added: “Now I don’t need to speak about him because everyone speaks and speaks so well. I think it’s better for him to listen to it and to realise that people love him when he plays in the way he is doing.”