mourinho quotes after los blanocs 0:4 win over espanyol

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has highlighted the importance of his side's 4-0 victory at Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday.

The Santiago Bernabeu outfit came under fire in September following two successive negative league results - a loss to Levante and a draw with Racing Santander - which raised doubts about the club's ability to challenge Barcelona for the league crown.

Madrid have since defeated Rayo Vallecano and won their Champions League encounter with Ajax, and Mourinho believes that the triumph against Espanyol is important to confirm his side are on the right track.

"We have managed to get out of a difficult situation," Mourinho said.

"We scored 13 goals in one week. I am happy for this team and especially for the players who had not been playing much and were fantastic today, like Lassana Diarra, Alvaro Arbeloa and Gonzalo Higuain."

Argentine striker Higuain, who replaced injured Karim Benzema at the head of the attack, scored three of Madrid's goals in a performance that did not surprise the Portuguese coach.

"Higuain is the kind of player we all know what he can do," Mourinho said. "But more important than the goals is the victory against a tough opponent, who made things hard for us until our second goal."

"For me, it is as important to score as to work for the team."

The result sees Madrid move up to second in the table, behind Barcelona and Levante, and Mourinho gave credit to the Ciutat de Valencia club.

"The team who deserve all the attention is Levante, because they are smaller (than Barcelona) and do not have as much prestige. They are worthy of it," Mourinho said.

"One point is one point, not ten. Obviously I would like to be in the lead by one point, but that is nothing."

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Penalty decision against Getafe was incorrect, but Cristiano Ronaldo is not a diver

Jose Mourinho has admitted that the penalty awarded to Cristiano Ronaldo during the club's 4-2 victory over Getafe was an incorrect call.

Real Madrid earned a vital second-half penalty through Ronaldo's tumble in the box after being challenged by the getafe defence. However, his coach has leapt to the player's defense, claiming that he does not dive like some of his more guilty fellow players.

"It was not a penalty, but Cristiano does not dive unlike some players," said Mourinho, whose reference could arguably be looked at as a cryptic message to Barcelona's Lionel Messi's attempt to fool the referee against Real Sociedad earlier Saturday.

Despite the debate surrounding the penalty decision, Mourinho did not forget to credit the opposition, which forced Madrid to work extremely hard for the three points.

"They played very well and we did not. After the penalty, we were better and I think we deserved to win," he said.

Real Madrid's victory puts them on the top od the Primera following Barcelona's 2-2 draw at San Sebastian.

Mourinho almost stabbed on the airport

Mourinho's personal bodyguard was wounded as the madman lashed out with the sharp object.

Jose Mourinho, was rushed away by his security team at the A Coruna airport, in north west Spain, last Friday. 

Spanish media said the security guard, called Eduardo, only realised had been stabbed when he boarded the team bus with the Real Madrid coach.

He thought he had been punched until he saw the blood pouring from the wound.

Real Madrid security chiefs believe the attacker meant to harm Mourinho.

The bodyguard was treated for a 4cm wound.

Mourinho was only told about the incident yesterday, Spanish media said.

Newspaper El Periodico said: "Mourinho stopped to sign autographs in arrivals, where a large number of Madrid fans were waiting for the team.

"The bodyguard was near the manager and noticed he had been stabbed in the armpit.

"The security guard realised he had a 4cm wound caused by a sharp object.

"Mourinho was very worried by the incident."

Security cameras recorded the drama and the attacker, said to be a tall man, has been identified.