The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Busy Mourinho feels Chelsea have edge
United boss believes ‘champions’ can already focus on quarter-final
BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Jose Mourinho says Chelsea have the Premier League title wrapped up and can afford to pay more attention to their FA Cup quarter-final than Manchester United.
United had to come from behind to see off Championship strugglers Blackburn in yesterday’s fifth round clash, with goals from Marcus Rashford and substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic cancelling out Danny Graham’s opener for Owen Coyle’s side.
The draw shortly after the full-time whistle pitched Mourinho’s men against his former club at Stamford Bridge – a first cup meeting between the teams since the same stage four years ago.
Chelsea edged that tie, winning 1-0 in a replay after drawing at Old Trafford, and Mourinho suggested their eightpoint lead in the league meant they could begin planning for the tie.
United, on the other hand continue to balance a Europa League campaign, an EFL Cup final and their battle for the top four.
“Probably Chelsea can only think about that (the FA Cup) because I think they are champions and they have nothing else to fight for,” Mourinho said in a clinical and brief press conference.
“The FA Cup is something I believe is important for them. I have to play St Etienne (on Wednesday), I have to play the (League Cup) final, I have to play hopefully another opponent in the Europa League. I have to fight for a topfour position in the Premier League.
“I have so many things to think about.”
Harry Kane netted a hat-trick as Tottenham cruised into a quarter-final meeting with Millwall by beating Fulham 3-0 yesterday.
Christian Eriksen set up the first two for the England striker, with Dele Alli providing a neat pass for the third to wrap up a convincing and well-deserved triumph at Craven Cottage.
The result was a welcome one for Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who named a strong line-up having headed into the match on the back of two straight losses.