Perfect day for Jose’s Blues

IT REALLY was a super Sunday for Chelsea at the weekend. The day began with the London side’s big Premier League rivals Manchester City slipping up in the title race as they slumped to a 2-1 loss against a resurgent Liverpool.

Then Chelsea produced a commanding performance to see off Spurs at Wembley in the final of the Capital One Cup, cruising to a 2-0 victory.

It was Jose Mourinho’s first silverware since returning to Stamford Bridge for his second spell as manager of the club.

Watching Chelsea, it is easy to see the manager’s influence on every aspect of their play.

His players understand exactly what he expects of them and they do the little things really well.

Everyone knows their job and if they don’t carry out one part of it like tracking back, then they will not be in the team, it is as simple as that.

They were without one of their best players against Spurs in the shape of the suspended Nemanja Matic but Mourinho pulled off a selection masterstroke by drafting in Kurt Zouma, a central defender, into midfield to outstanding effect.

The Manchester City defeat earlier probably took some of the pressure off the Chelsea players at Wembley, knowing that their title rivals had failed to close the points gap at the top of the table.

There were good performances throughout the Blues ranks but John Terry was a stand-out with a man-of-the-match display.

There was some doubt whether he would be handed another year’s contract extension at the end of this season, uncertainty which was finally quashed yesterday with Mourinho insisting his skipper was staying at the Bridge. That is no more than Terry deserves. He is obviously coming towards the end of his career and I remember what I was like at a similar stage.

Playing centre-back, you know the position so well and you can play with freedom.

You also go into every game determined to prove yourself. That may sound daft when you are in your mid-thirties but the fact is that if you produce one poor performance then there will be people lining up to claim your legs have gone and you can’t play at that level any more.

So it was no surprise to hear Terry saying he also still has plenty to prove and no doubt it is making him a better player.

His form in the cup final inevitably led to questions about a possible U-turn on his decision to retire from England duty.

Terry dismissed the suggestion and he is probably right to do so.

I honestly don’t think England would pick him but if they did he would no doubt do a job.

However, at this stage of his career, does he really want to attend England training sessions and all the extra travelling? Probably not.

Instead, he will be fully focused on looking after himself well so that he can continue doing a job for Chelsea.

Of course, the capture of the cup has also sparked suggestions that this will be the start of a second Mourinho dynasty at Stamford Bridge but I have my reservations on that score.

Unlike the last time the “Special One” was in England, there are so many other clubs who have upped their game, so he definitely won’t have things all his own way.

That said, Mourinho has moulded a team in the last year that is so competitive they will probably believe they can win everything.

Certainly, they are in the driving seat as far as the Premier League is concerned being five points ahead of City with a game in hand.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side can be outstanding on their day but there are times, especially away from home like Sunday’s game at Anfield, when they can appear vulnerable.

It is just some of the little things where they don’t press or a lack of discipline — it is interesting to think what Mourinho would have done if he had been in charge of City against Liverpool.

While it was a damaging defeat for City, nothing should be allowed to deflect from how well Liverpool performed.

They are going really well just now which is in sharp contrast to the start of the season when they struggled to make the adjustment after Luis Suarez left the club.

They have also had to do without Daniel Sturridge for much of the campaign because of injury and they have probably suffered because they do not have a standout striker like a Diego Costa.

Mario Balotelli has struggled to make an impression but thankfully from a Liverpool point of view, Philippe Coutinho has emerged as an important player and Sturridge is finally back from injury.

Liverpool are flying at the moment and I feel that with their momentum, they are capable of snatching a Champions League spot.

Certainly, A rsenal and Manchester United look vulnerable.

A s for the title itself, I do not think it is in the bag for Chelsea — it is far too early to write off a team of Manchester City’s calibre.

“His players understand exactly what he expects of them and they do the little things really well.”

Picture: Getty Images. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and his captain John Terry after the Wembley win.