West Ham's two late goals, capitalising on Tottenham's psychological frailty following an emotionally draining week, may have taken some of the sheen off Jose Mourinho's first game as manager but make no mistake: this was an impressive performance and an impressively Mourinho-esque one at that.
From team shape to defensive positioning to attacking lines, Spurs looked more like a Mourinho team than a Mauricio Pochettino one – or at least they did for the first hour. Analysis of this period of the game gives us plenty of insight into the tactics that will define Jose's tenure at Tottenham.
Here are five tactical points from the Spurs performance at West Ham:
1) MIDFIELD DOUBLE AXIS SUGGESTS MAJOR SHIFT
The most significant change of all was Mourinho's deployment of two defensive midfielders who sat side-by-side at the base of a 4-2-3-1. Harry Winks and Eric Dier rarely ventured forward, instead forming an axis that blocked West Ham from counter-attacking while maintaining rhythmic, safety-first possession for the visitors.
Winks was a surprise selection but he repaid the manager with a disciplined showing, whereas Dier may be disappointed by three of four sloppy passes that gifted possession to the opponent. Mourinho preaches risk-averse football, and so Dier's sluggishness will not have gone down well.
However, overall these two provided a solid foundation that symbolised a cultural shift at the club. Mourinho will no doubt install more conservative tactics than his predecessor.
2) SIX BACK, FOUR FORWARD SUGGESTS CONSERVATIVE FUTURE
This defensiveness was also evident in the typically-Mourinho demarcation of player roles; gone is the positional fluidity of the Pochettino era, and in its place a simplified set of instructions with players only entering certain zones of the pitch.
Spurs rigidly stuck to six defensive players and four attacking. The full-backs stayed deep (and if one occasionally ventured forward, the other would tuck in to make a back three), leaving a 4-2 formation cautiously holding at all times. Whenever West Ham tried to break they were met with five or six bodies to shut them down.
That might sound negative, but such a solid foundation gives the front four total freedom, hence the strong first-half performances from Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Heung-Min Son, and Lucas Moura. It is a common misconception that Mourinho teams are boring to watch; outside 'big six' clashes, these four will create lots of chances under the new manager.
3) QUICKER, MORE DIRECT PASSING SHOWS IT WON'T NECESSARILY BE BORING
Real Madrid scored over 100 goals in each of Mourinho's three seasons in the Spanish capital while Chelsea were good to watch in their title-winning 2014/15 campaign, largely because of this separation of attacking and defensive roles. The forwards are given true creative freedom, and as part of that approach they are expected to move quickly; if not on the counter-attack, then seizing opportunities to play directly through the opponent.
Two early chances for Kane, the first scored but disallowed for offside, suggest Mourinho's attacking tactics are already rubbing off on the team. Ben Davies twice cut passes through the lines to Dele, who quickly turned and fed Kane. It was a similar situation for Son's opener, while throughout the first half Lucas, Kane, Son, and Dele were all making ambitious runs on the shoulder of the last defender.
Long goal kicks and longer balls forward from defence were also introduced, giving fans an early glimpse of what a more direct Tottenham will look like.
4) DELE'S REVIVAL HINTS AT MORE CREATIVE MOURINHO
The only unexpected feature of Mourinho's impressive debut was the inclusion of Dele, who ghosted into the number ten space brilliantly and frequently made runs beyond Kane, playing like the Dele of two years ago. Clearly the new manager has boosted his confidence over the last four days and reminded the young attacker of his talents.
He was instrumental in the first two goals, perhaps hinting that Mourinho is indeed willing to commit more to attacking football at Tottenham. Many had assumed Dele would be one of the casualties of this appointment because he is less disciplined than the likes of Christian Eriksen. Only time will tell if Dele is actually part of the long-term strategy.
5) REACTIVE DECISIONS & TARGETING WEAKNESSES IS CLASSIC JOSE
Tottenham notably started to slow down after their third goal, taking their time over set-pieces and casually moving the ball around at the back. This might simply be the result of 'fatigue', as Mourinho said after the game, but it did seem to show the new manager's protective instincts. Certainly his late switch to a deep-lying 4-4-1-1, with Moussa Sissoko and Son in wide midfield roles, was a negative choice.
Spurs targeted under-fire West Ham goalkeeper Roberto from the outset, testing him with pot shots and ensuring crosses were floated high into the box rather than drilled low. That's classic Mourinho: he is a reactive manager first and foremost, looking at how to exploit opposition weaknesses rather than take a proactive stance with his own team's tactics.
WHERE SPURS AND MOURINHO GO FROM HERE
All in all it was a very Mourinho performance; quite some achievement given he's only been in the job for four days. The foundation is in place, then, and going forward Mourinho will want to repeat a lot of the traits – quick, assertive attacks and a solid midfield block – that defined Tottenham for the first hour.
But the final 30 minutes gives food for thought. Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez were easily turned by Michail Antonio for the hosts' first and second goals, while the overall downturn in performance betrayed the brittle confidence of the Spurs players. Mourinho's next step is undoubtedly to solidify the back four on the training ground.
Clearly Tottenham also need to sign players. They need a right-back especially, and on Saturday's showing could also do with a right winger more in the Mourinho mould of consistency and organisation; Lucas's erratic finishing won't have impressed the new manager.
Beyond that, things are looking good. Spurs will be under-dogs in the title race next season, making them ideal for Mourinho's infamous siege mentality ideology, and as long a Daniel Levy loosens the purse strings the Portuguese can, for better or worse, build a trophy-winning team in his image.
Tactical graphics from Whoscored.com
