LONDON: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists that Manchester City should still be considered Premier League title favourites despite seeing his side top the table for the first time since September.
Chelsea have signalled their title intentions in a potentially season-defining week, winning 1-0 at City before prevailing 3-0 at home to Newcastle United on Saturday.
With Arsenal crashing 5-1 at Liverpool and City dropping points in a goalless draw at Norwich City, Chelsea now find themselves on top of the standings with 13 matches of the season remaining.
However, Mourinho remains adamant that Chelsea will not win the league, and having compared his side to the “little horse” in the title race after the win at City, he employed a new metaphor.
“I want to stop with that story of the horses, but I don’t change my idea,” he said.
“Manchester City is a Jaguar. You cannot put an L-plate (learners’ plate) behind a Jaguar. We are what we are and we know where we want to go and this season we have only one objective, which is to finish top four.”
He added: “I say as I feel it. I don’t feel the change. We are playing well and have been for a long time. “People individually are in a good moment and we are getting results. We are top of the league and that’s something we can’t hide.
“Big results are always surprising, but it happens. You did not expect such a big result at Anfield. Man City’s attacking power is fantastic, so when you get this kind of result it is a bit surprising.”
Chelsea continue on their way with Belgian winger Eden Hazard taking his game to a new level.
He struck two first-half goals against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge and then completed his first treble in the London club’s colours from the penalty spot in the second half.
“I think Hazard’s performance has not been different to his other performances,” said Mourinho, who had described the 23-year-old as the world’s best young player after his display at City. — AFP