Mourinho have ‘excuses’ for Tottenham’s poor EPL opener

Jose Mourinho accused some his players of laziness and bad fitness after his lacklustre Tottenham Hotspur side’s 1-0 home defeat by Everton in their Premier League opener on Sunday.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 55th-minute header settled the issue and Tottenham’s display, especially in the second half, led to some harsh words from manager Mourinho.

“Against good teams like Everton if you let them play from the back they are comfortable with very good technical players. If you don’t press them you give them ammunition,” he said.

“We were lazy in our pressing. That is a consequence of bad fitness, bad pre-season. Some players didn’t even have a pre-season. Some players had a wrong state of mind. I don’t want to speak about it – I’m not sure about it.”

Tottenham have been the subject of a candid documentary chronicling Mourinho’s arrival at the club to replace former manager Mauricio Pochettino last November.

It might be just as well the behind-the scenes cameras have been switched off after a plodding display against Everton.

Striker Harry Kane barely had a sight of goal, although he was not helped by a midfield lacking imagination.

“I’m disappointed with my team. My message is inside (the dressing room),” Mourinho said. “I’m so happy no more (filming for the) Amazon (documentary) because these things can stay in between us.”

With Carlo Ancelotti in the opposing dugout it was a meeting of two of the game’s most decorated coaches, but it was Italian Ancelotti who won the head-to-head hand’s down.

With Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez, signed this week from Real Madrid, French powerhouse Abdoulaye Doucoure and Brazilian midfielder Allan all making impressive debuts, Everton were unrecognisable to the stodgy team of last season.

“This performance gives us more confidence for the future,” Ancelotti, like Mourinho starting his first full season in charge, said. “We showed what we can do.

“The new signings had one week of training but adapted really well. The performance was good. James Rodriguez brings his ability to control the ball, to do the right passes, to keep the team comfortable with the ball.

“I think we can compete with this squad in all the competitions.”