Mourinho defends philosophy after win vs Arsenal with less than 35% possession

Jose Mourinho has fired back at critics of his playing style with table-topping Tottenham, insisting possession is for 'philosophers'.

Captain Harry Kane also defended Spurs' philosophy after he scored in Sunday's 2-0 victory over rivals Arsenal. It was the 11th time a Mourinho side had enjoyed no more than 35 per cent possession in a Premier League match.

Nine of those have now ended in victory but Mourinho again came under fire.

'This ball possession story is more for sports philosophers than it's for me. No one has ever seen me say "I lost that game but I had more possession",' he said.

'What matters is what you do with the ball.' Kane, who said he feels in the form of his life, again combined with Son Heung-min to devastating effect.

He added: 'We play well on the counter-attack, we've got fast players. We've been clinical when we've got our chances.... sometimes you just have to defend and sit deep.'

Mourinho was also asked whether he is now proving wrong those who felt his best days had passed.

'When people said my peak was over, I won three titles at (Manchester United),' he said.

'So my peak passed, I won a (EFL) Cup, a Super Cup (Community Shield) and a Europa League. It was at the moment that my peak passed. Imagine others who never get that.'

On being top, he added: 'I'm calm, I'm happy. Obviously Tottenham are Tottenham, people are not used to it. But I'm used to it.

'And maybe that feeling of deja-vu, this situation of having already lived these positions many times, maybe it helps to reassure the players.'