Real Madrid extended their winning streak to eight matches with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Valencia on Saturday, moving level on points with Barcelona at the summit of LaLiga.
According to ESPN, José Mourinho spoke afterwards of a contented squad, joking about how his players chose to celebrate. "I see a happy dressing room, with horrible, loud music," the Portuguese coach said with a laugh.
Mourinho, who returned for a second spell in charge this season, saw his side endure a difficult opening to the campaign. Madrid have not lost since a defeat at Atlético Madrid on 20 September. Barcelona, the reigning champions, travel to Atlético on Sunday.
The Madrid boss stressed that his team had stayed composed throughout, adding that winning at a club of Real Madrid's stature should be seen as routine rather than a cause for wild celebration.
Captain Federico Valverde was deployed at right-back ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who started on the bench after changes from the midweek win at AEK Athens. Valverde broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, firing low into the bottom corner.
Arda Güler, starting in place of the suspended Vinícius Júnior, doubled the advantage eight minutes later from a Jude Bellingham pass. It was the Turkish forward's third goal in five matches.
Madrid struggled to add a third for much of the second half before Güler supplied Kylian Mbappé, who struck his 17th goal of the season with 15 minutes remaining. Valencia, second from bottom, finished with 10 men after José Gayà was dismissed late on.
The result took Mourinho to 97 LaLiga wins as Madrid coach, leaving him three short of becoming only the fourth manager in the club's history to reach a century.
Madrid next face Celta Vigo at home in two weeks following the international break. Mourinho voiced concern about his players' fitness as they join their national teams, saying they need rest and close attention to their recovery.