Chelsea produced a stunning master class at the Etihad Stadium tonight to record a 1-0 win over rivals Manchester City.
The pre-match talk was dominated by the Special One’s mind games and his comments about West Ham’s style of play during their draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Mourinho was overly critical of West Ham’s approach on Wednesday night, accusing them of playing 19th Century football in the goalless draw, a game that saw an incredible 39 shots from Chelsea without scoring.
In Manchester City they faced a team on form at home in the Premier League, with City winning all of their games at the Etihad and amassing an incredible 41 goals in the process.
In the build-up to the match Mourinho insisted that City were favourites for this season’s Premier League title, although he is enjoying building a Chelsea team for the future:
“I enjoy building a team. I enjoy building the future. I enjoy not working just for today, and next season to start again with another team, spending a lot of money again, selling a lot of players, bringing in a lot of players.
I’m enjoying this very, very much. To be the underdog I don’t enjoy.I think I’m going to enjoy next season. It is more me – and I think it’s more Chelsea too – to start next season and say immediately we are candidates, the same way the others are candidates.”
City had also come off the back of seven straight wins in all competitions, the most recent a 5-1 demolition of Spurs at White Hart Lane. Chelsea themselves have been on an excellent run since losing to Sunderland in the quarterfinal of the capital one cup. They have won seven games and drawn twice in what was likely to be one of the games of the season.
There was a blow for City early on when it was announced that key midfielder Fernandinho would miss the match. The Brazilian was forced out injured, meaning Martin Demichelis moved into midfield and Matija Nastasic returned in defence.
Alvaro Negredo was restored up front for the injured Sergio Aguero. Chelsea left Brazillian Oscar on the bench as well as midfielder John Obi Mikel and started with the more defensive partnership of Nemanja Matic and David Luiz.
Both teams had a frenetic start, the nerves even getting to Petr Cech early on who came charging out of goal. Luckily, Gary Cahill was on hand to guide the ball safely out for a throw in. City did create a couple of chances early on with Kolarov only narrowly failing to pick out Yaya Toure in the Chelsea six yard box with a driven cross.
Mourinho Masterclass
However it was Chelsea who took the lead in the 32nd minute courtesy of a rocket from Bransilav Ivanovic, who smashed a left footed half volley past Joe Hart into the bottom corner.
Chelsea were unlucky not to have won by a larger margin as Samuel Eto’o, Nemanja Matic and Gary Cahill all hit the City woodwork. And although there was a late chance for David Silva, Manuel Pellegrini can have no complaints about the scoreline.
Speaking after the game, manager Jose Mourinho had this to say:
“Against a fantastic team, to play the way we did is amazing. This is a very important step in preparing the team to be one of the favourites for next season. We’ve beaten the best team in the Premier League twice.
“They had a couple of chances to score but we had the better chances to win the game. We played with great spirit. Favourites for this season? Yes, we are there but we are not favourites.”
There were many outstanding candidates for man of the match with Gary Cahill giving his best performance as a Chelsea defender and Eden Hazard at his best tormenting the City back line, but it was the re-signed midfielder Nemanja Matic who won the award for his incredible composure on the ball and the ability to compete with and beat one of the best midfielders in the business in Yaya Toure.
This result is a huge marker in the title race. Not only have Chelsea now recorded home and away wins against Manchester City this season, but to beat them at home at this stage of the season is a huge blow for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
The win sets Mourinho and his side up perfectly for their next premier league fixtures at home to Newcastle and away to West Brom.
