Jose Mourinho has hit out at Dele Alli with another jibe as the Tottenham boss tries to pick up the pieces after a third straight Premier League defeat.

Spurs slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat by Chelsea on Thursday night, the first time they have lost three straight Premier League matches since the days of Andre Villas Boas.

And Spurs were criticised for the timid nature of their display and lack of attacking intent.

Mourinho, quizzed after the match on why they seemed so meek, pointed to the injury list as well as the absence of Alli, who is fit to play.

‘(Sergio) Reguilon means something for our attacking football,’ Mourinho said. ‘Harry Kane means something to our attacking football.

‘Giovani Lo Celso means something and a good Dele Alli that we haven’t had yet also means something to that. It also is about not having the players to change things. It’s also about confidence.’

Kane is currently out with an ankle issue sustained in the 3-1 defeat by Liverpool last week while Reguilon is injured with a muscle problem.

Alli, meanwhile, has been inflated by Mourinho ever since he replaced Mauricio Pochettino as Spurs manager. The attacking midfielder has only played 12 times this season, mainly in cup competitions. His last appearance was in the FA Cup win over non-League Marine.

But Tottenham kept hold of the England international in the January transfer window, despite interest from the now PSG boss Pochettino.

Chelsea edged their London rivals when Jorginho converted from the penalty spot after a needless foul from Eric Dier on Timo Werner in the first half.

Despite Spurs pursuing a goal, Mourinho didn’t bring Gareth Bale on at any point and was coy over his reasoning.

‘I’m doing my best. He’s doing his best. Everybody is doing their best.’

Tottenham’s next chance to return to winning ways is on Sunday, when they host Sam Allardyce’s West Brom.