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LACK OF CUTTING EDGE

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho suggested that the lack of cutting edge from the team was responsible for the 1-1 draw with Galatasaray in the first level of the Champions League last 16 match between the two clubs. Chelsea made the trip to Turkey in order to face the Turkish champions. There are facing the uphill task of being the only English representative in the quarterfinals, as the likes of Manchester city, Arsenal, and Manchester United on suffered 2-0 defeats in their first legs. Chelsea looked like overturning the poor form of the English clubs after taking an early lead through Fernando Torres.

Chelsea dominated the opening exchanges especially on the counter-attack, but they are unable to extend the lead. The first 30 minutes was full of breathtaking counter-attacks from the Premier league outfit. After the half an hour mark, Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini made a few changes to the tactical outlook of his team and it made the difference. They got the equaliser in the second half after an error from John Terry and Petr Cech in a set piece. The return leg at Stamford Bridge is scheduled to take place in the next few weeks. Ahead of this encounter, Mourinho says that the tie is extremely even after this result.

“Some other teams have three chances and score three goals. We have five and score one. That’s not a critique of the strikers but it’s the profile of the team we have. We create but when we arrive in the final third of the pitch, the correct pass and right movement is something we don’t have. We are paying for that. In the Premier League we are losing points and in the Champions League we could have had a different result,” said Mourinho.

Chelsea have a London derby against Fulham on the weekend.

JOSE TAKES A SWIPE

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Chelsea manager José Mourinho has taken a swipe at Manchester United by saying that their hopes of retaining the title are over after David Moyes’ team suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of his team. Manchester United were the visitors to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have enjoyed a good record this season. Moyes was coming into the match without two of his main players – Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie – not available due to fitness issues. The former Everton manager has not won in 47 matches against the traditional top four of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

This record continued on Sunday after his team lost 3-1 following a hat-trick from Samuel Eto’o. The Cameroon international opened the scoring with a deflected effort, but it was largely due to the inept defending of United. His second goal also showed the huge defensive lapses within the champions. Immediately after the second half began, Chelsea were cruising after the 32-year-old poked in an effort from close range. Nemanja Vidic was sent off in a few minutes from time, while Rafael could also have received a red card for his two footed lunge on Gary Cahill.

As a result of this defeat, United have fallen a massive 14 points behind Arsenal in the table. Mourinho says that it is impossible to win the title from this position.

“Maybe if I say [United are out of title contention], some people from United would ask: ‘Who am I to say that?’. But I don’t think David will be upset if I say the reality: 14 points difference and 13 and 12 [to the others]. Can they recover to one of those teams? They can but to three of them? It needs three teams to have almost a collapse,” said Mourinho after the match.