No sentiment – Jose must suffer
JOSE Mourinho will always have a place in the hearts of Chelsea’s faithful, but his former charges are hoping to make him suffer when he returns to Stamford Bridge as manager of Manchester United on Sunday.
Two days before being sacked in December a doomed Mourinho spoke of a “betrayal” of his work by some of the players who had propelled Chelsea to the Premier League title the previous season.
Fingers were pointed at Diego Costa, among others, and the Spain striker’s huge dip in form was a contributing factor to the Portuguese tactician’s bitter exit.
Costa has started this season like the marauding forward Mourinho signed from Atletico Madrid, scoring seven goals in eight Premier League games, and he will be relishing the highly charged atmosphere expected on Sunday.
The visit to Stamford Bridge could hardly have come at a worse time for a United side, who have won only one of their last five Premier League games to stall what had been a promising beginning to the Mourinho reign.
Fifth-placed Chelsea have also had a whole week to prepare following their demolition of champions Leicester City last weekend, while United have been working overtime this week against Liverpool on Monday and Fenerbahce in the Europa League last night.
No wonder Mourinho, whose side are seventh in the table, said it was a time for digging in.
“This is not the week where we were expecting to close the distances to the top of the league. This is the week we have to keep contact with them,” he said.
“Then we will arrive at the moment where we win three, four or five matches in a row and we will be there fighting for the title.”
Former Italy coach Antonio Conte has made a steady enough start and victory over Leicester was the ideal confidence-booster after defeats by Liverpool and Arsenal had lowered expectations.
North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal have the chance to leapfrog leaders Manchester City tomorrow. Tottenham will go top if they win at Bournemouth in the early kick-off, although Arsenal can respond later at home to Middlesbrough.
City host Southampton on Sunday.
Southampton were punished for several missed chances as Inter Milan snatched a 1-0 victory in their Europa League group game at the San Siro.
The Premier League side outplayed their hosts in the first half, but James WardProwse fired over and Cuco Martina shot wide.
Inter rarely threatened before Antonio Candreva lashed a shot into the top corner.
Paul Pogba scored twice as Manchester United coasted to a comfortable victory over Fenerbahce and moved second in Group A.
Pogba smashed in after Simon Kjaer fouled Juan Mata before Anthony Martial converted from Sener Ozbayrakli’s push.
Pogba guided a superb curling shot home from 20 yards with Jesse Lingard drilling home to put the game out of sight after the break. – Reuters-BBC