Spurs were dire for 60 minutes until Giovani Lo Celso and Christian Eriksen added the creativity they so desperately lacked.
They managed to pick up the win as goals from Harry Kane and Dele Alli replied to Adam Webster’s controversial towering header at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Unfortunately for Mourinho, as well as a dismal display, central midfielders Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks both earned their fifth cautions of the season.
The pair will now miss the trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City and with Tanguy Ndombele also a doubt it leaves Spurs light in midfield.
Speaking about the absence of the club’s record signing against Brighton, Mourinho said: “He [Ndombele] told me he was not feeling in condition to play.
“I cannot say he is injured. In five minutes we start a training session [on the pitch after the game] and you can go to the stands and watch it. He is going to be training normally so I cannot say he is injured.