Jude Bellingham inspires wicked Real Madrid turnaround in Jose Mourinho’s first home game back after defensive howler

JOSE MOURINHO’S Real Madrid homecoming proved to be quite dramatic, though that would be the only fitting return for The Special One. Los Blancos kicked off their La Liga campaign last week with a 2-1 win away at Espanyol, courtesy of a 90th-minute winner from Carlos Espi. Jude Bellingham inspired a Real Madrid win in Jose Mourinho’s first home game back at the club Credit: Getty Ibrahima Konate did not cover himself in glory before a deflection gifted Sociedad an equaliser Credit: X Mourinho‘s first home game back at the Bernabeu looked to be going to plan when Kylian Mbappe grabbed the opener against Real Sociedad after 40 minutes. However, Ibrahima Konate – still fresh off his departure from Liverpool as a free agent in the summer – put a spanner in the works when he was left facing the wrong way during a Sociedad attack. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! A ball in behind the Madrid defence had Konate and Co backtracking as Job Ochieng picked up possession. Instead of trying to drive to the byline, the 23-year-old winger stopped his momentum to take the ball to feet. This completely blindsided Konate, who was then left having to turn himself around to try and block an attempt at goal – which to his credit he managed to do by planting a big defensive leg in the way. But in a moment of wickedly bad luck for the 27-year-old, the ball fell directly into the path of the oncoming Luka Sučić, who only had to wrap his foot around the ball to score into the bottom corner. Madrid and Sociedad went into the break level, before the quality of Mourinho’s team shone through. Jude Bellingham, who had scored the first goal under Mourinho against Espanyol, bagged a brace of assists to inspire a first home win under the former Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham boss. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK The first saw the 23-year-old play a perfectly weighted one-two with Mbappe on the edge of the area before the Frenchman opened up his body to tuck the ball into the bottom corner. England star Bellingham then helped Vinicius Jr score Madrid’s third after winning possession back in the penalty area following a blocked shot and then squaring a pass into the Brazilian’s path for an easy tap-in. Mbappe, 27, put the cherry on top for the fourth with a cheeky chip finish over the goalkeeper after running onto a Vinicius pass into the penalty area. Speaking after the game, Mourinho said: “We were fantastic as a team and as individuals. The centre-backs were dominant, the midfielders were machines, and obviously the guys upfront, incredible.” Top football travel deals “Kylian, Jude, Vini, Bernardo, Federico, the centre-backs too. All of them were fantastic. I don’t like to talk individually but what Kylian Mbappé has done is insane.” Reflecting on his return to the Bernabeu, the 63-year-old added: “My return to the Bernabeu was normal, I don’t feel nervous anymore before games.” “Last time I came to the Bernabeu with Benfica, I watched the game in the parking lot. This time, I was on the bench.” Their winning start has put them top of the Spanish league, though defending champions Barcelona are yet to play their second league game of the season. Comment now