Mourinho begins second Madrid spell with win at Espanyol

Jose Mourinho’s second spell as Real Madrid manager began with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol, sealed by Carlos Espi’s 90th-minute winner.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham gave Real a ninth-minute lead when he headed in Arda Guler’s free-kick from a wide position.

Espanyol responded in the 30th minute as summer signing Cala finished Javi Hernandez’s cut-back at the far post to restore parity.

Real Madrid dominated much of the match but were frustrated by the hosts’ defence and goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. Bellingham came close to restoring the visitors’ lead, only for his powerful header to be tipped onto the crossbar.

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Federico Valverde also went close when his curling effort struck the base of the post.

Mourinho turned to his bench in search of a breakthrough, introducing several new signings, including Carlos Espi, Marc Cucurella, Yan Diomande and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The changes eventually paid off in stoppage time.

Diomande found Kylian Mbappe inside the box, and the ball fell kindly for Espi, who kept his composure to slot past Dmitrovic and secure all three points for the visitors.

The 21-year-old forward joined Real from Levante for £21m and marked his competitive debut with a decisive goal.

Mourinho, appointed on a three-year contract in July, also handed starts to new arrivals Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva.

The victory gives the Portuguese manager a winning start to his second stint at the Spanish giants.

Mourinho’s first spell at Real Madrid began in 2010 and lasted three seasons, during which he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

The 63-year-old has won 26 major trophies during his managerial career, including three Premier League titles with Chelsea and Champions League triumphs with Porto and Inter Milan.

Real Madrid have gone two seasons without winning a trophy and dismissed Xabi Alonso in January before Alvaro Arbeloa took temporary charge for the remainder of the campaign.