Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid were not dominant enough to deserve their 2-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday.
After a tight first half, which saw Los Blancos manage just two shots on target, they secured all three points thanks to second-half penalties from Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
They were far from their best though, accumulating just 0.6 expected goals from 16 shots (six on target), while they just edged possession with 52%.
However, Ancelotti praised his players' resilience and was proud of how they were able to endure the home side's pressure.
"It was a complicated match. We didn't deserve to win, because Real Sociedad pushed us really hard," he told a press conference.
"We held on and suffered, showed character and a lot of commitment. I value that a lot because it's not easy to find commitment in a team with so much talent and quality, and today we did it.
"I leave very satisfied, and then we have to be self-critical in order to improve. It's a great opportunity for us to assess what we didn't do well but with three more points in the table."
Madrid are second on 11 points, one behind Barcelona who visit fifth-placed Girona on Sunday.
Ancelotti acknowledged his side were struggling with fatigue and poor form, but said it was to be expected due to a busy calendar, coming off the back of the international break.
The Italian said he saw improvement in Mbappe's performance as the France captain settles in at his new club, having scored his third goal for Madrid on Saturday.
"We can talk about all the problems in the world with this match, but the important thing was to get out with a win," added Ancelotti, who was without midfielders Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni.
"We have to take into account that we are not at 100%. It's normal, we don't have four midfielders who are injured. I value a lot the work of those who have played.
"I see Mbappe fresher, more active. He's very dangerous and combines well with Vinicius and the other forwards. He is improving a lot. I liked his game a lot."
Madrid now turn their attention to their Champions League title defence which starts on Tuesday against Stuttgart.
Girona 1-4 Barcelona: Yamal scores two as Blaugrana stay perfect
Lamine Yamal struck twice in the first half to help Barcelona maintain their perfect start in LaLiga with a commanding 4-1 win at Girona, despite them going down to 10 men.
Yamal gave Barca a two-goal lead with two strikes in seven first-half minutes, dispossessing David Lopez before racing through on goal to curl home his first.
The teenager's second came following good work from Robert Lewandowski, who teed him up to strike through a crowded penalty area and in after 37 minutes.
Dani Olmo extended their lead further with an angled finish after the break, then Pedri tapped home a 64th-minute fourth.
Girona substitute Cristhian Stuani netted a consolation goal in the 80th minute, six minutes before Barca were reduced to 10 men, forward Ferran Torres receiving a straight red card for a nasty studs-up challenge on Yaser Asprilla.
The Blaugrana's fifth straight win keeps them top of LaLiga on 15 points, four ahead of Real Madrid and Villarreal, while Girona are seventh, eight points off the summit.
Data Debrief: Post-Messi high for Barca
Barcelona have scored 17 goals through their first five games of the season in LaLiga, making a stunning start to life under new boss Hansi Flick.
That is the most they have managed through their opening five matches of a campaign since they also hit 17 in 2017-18.
Prior to the Lionel Messi era, the last time they had netted more at this stage of a season was in 1959-60, when they also scored 17 times.
Ex-wife of former Jamaica footballer Jorginho James shares harrowing details of assault: "He punched me eight times..."
The estranged ex-wife of former Jamaican footballer Jorginho James has come forward with harrowing details of an assault she endured on August 30. A video of the horrific assault that occurred inside his child’s daycare facility, has since gone viral.
In an interview with Fox 26, she recounted the frightening ordeal that is the latest in a series of incidents involving the 30-year-old former professional soccer player.
James, who has had previous run-ins with the law for family-related assaults, was first charged with a felony last month. Recalling one such incident, his ex-wife described a terrifying attack where James used a belt to strangle her. "He put a belt around my neck, and he strangled me," she said. "He kept me in the room for about an hour, two hours. He put the belt around my neck a second time and this time it was longer."
The ex-wife managed to call 911 during the ordeal, leading to James' arrest. However, he was released on bond just two days later. Court records indicated that James initially complied with the protective order and bond conditions placed upon him. However, this compliance reportedly came to an abrupt end on August 30.
According to the ex-wife, the incident on that day unfolded as James followed her while she was taking their two-year-old child to daycare. "As soon as I parked, he jumped into my back seat," she recounted. Fearing for her safety, she quickly exited the car and sought refuge inside the daycare while calling 911. However, this did not stop James. "While I'm still on the phone with them, that is when he started hitting me," she said. "He punched me eight times. I feel like he wouldn't have stopped if I wouldn't have fallen. He already had his arm ready to go a ninth time."
The brutal assault left the battered woman with severe injuries, including a large black bruise on her face, swelling, and a broken finger. "I can't use my right hand," she shared, adding that even two weeks after the attack, the physical effects are still evident.
Despite the severity of the attack, the charges against James were not upgraded to a felony. Instead, the August 30 assault was classified as a misdemeanor, with James only facing a second felony charge for violating a protective order or bond condition. "I was 100 per cent sure that he wasn't going to be able to come out this time," the flustered woman expressed, voicing her frustration and disbelief at the legal response.
Even though the District Attorney's Office filed a motion to deny bond, the court set it at $20,000. James currently remains free after posting bail.
In a message directed at James, the ex-wife said, "I hope he watches this or somebody he knows watches this, and he realizes that he hurt our daughter more than he hurt me. She's been screaming and crying in her sleep. I just need him to stay away and focus on himself and getting better so he can be a father to our daughter in the future if he gets a chance."
'I always win things in my second year' - Postecoglou insists Tottenham can win trophies
A defiant Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham have enough to win trophies this campaign as he "always wins things in his second year".
Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal for the Gunners in the 64th minute, profiting from some slack defending on a corner as he thumped in the winner.
Spurs had the better chances, especially in the first half, finishing the game with 15 shots overall, more than double what Arsenal managed (seven).
The hosts also dominated possession with 63.7% and entered the final third 62 times, but as they did against Leicester City on the opening day, they struggled to take their chances.
Asked if he thought his team had enough to challenge for silverware this season, Postecoglou told Sky Sports: "I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year," he told Sky Sports. "Nothing's changed. I don't say things unless I believe it."
Postecoglou has failed to beat Arsenal in three Premier League attempts and was left to lament their lack of a clinical edge after the match.
"It's very disappointing in a big game for us and our supporters. We didn't deliver so you have to take the pain from that," he added.
"It has been the story of our season so far, we played in their half and created chances, but we lack a bit of belief in the final third. That's what we need to fix. It was always going to be decided in moments, and they capitalised on theirs.
"It's me who has to give the guys the way forward. It's not for a lack of trying by the lads, we are just going through this early part of the season where we are playing well but not getting rewards for it.
"We handled set-pieces pretty well, but we switched off for one and paid the price."
Son Heung-min made his 19th Premier League appearance in the North London derby, with only Sol Campbell (22) playing in more among outfield players.
The Spurs captain struggled to make an impact though, worth just 0.04 expected goals (xG), and he echoed Postecoglou's frustrations.
"We dominated the game; the football was there, we just conceded from a set-piece again. We did it last season, and it is really frustrating," Son said.
"I am sure the fans are also very disappointed. We have to improve, 100%. It's a tough moment and we have to stick together.
"We are getting into the final third, but the players have to take the responsibility to score. It is the hardest part of football, making the right decision and being clinical.
"We will bounce back strong, there is a long way to go."
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