Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Manchester City’s title charge has been given a helping hand by referees this season ahead of the sides’ clash tonight at the Etihad Stadium.
The Sky Blues will be looking to remain undefeated at home in the league against Chelsea as well as adding to the 72 goals they have already accumulated in all competitions.
However ‘The Special One,’ has openly attacked the Premier League leaders by rejecting Tim Sherwood’s claim that Manchester City are the best team on the planet insisting they have been ‘lucky’ with officials’ rulings.
“I think they have everything, the players are obviously very good. Even with very good players, if the manager is not good, you don’t do it,” he said.
“On top of that – and I want to make it very clear that, for me, it’s just a coincidence and nothing else – the reality is they have many crucial decisions in their favour.
“They are lucky. The referees, they try to do their best and sometimes they make mistakes and normally during the season the mistakes are split between teams.
“In their case, they have everything in their favour.”
Mourinho then continued the mind games by stating that the Citizens have underachieved since their 2008 takeover by Sheikh Mansour.
City won the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League title in 2012 but have only proceeded beyond the Champions League group stage once in three attempts.
“They won one title, won a couple of cups,” said the former Real Madrid manager.
“The team is fantastic, the squad is fantastic and normally they [should] win more titles.”
“In Europe they didn’t do well, or close to doing well. Speaking objectively, they did very bad in the Champions League in previous seasons, also in the Europa League.”
However Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has refused to rise to any comments and insisted the title race is still wide open with every game being a vital match.
“I’m not concerned about (these) things, I’m concerned about the amount of games we have to play,” the Chilean said.
“It would be a very important win but after that game we have 42 points more (to play for). It is not a race only of Chelsea and Manchester City.
“Arsenal dropped just two points in one draw (this week). I don’t think because they dropped two points they have a weaker hand than the other teams. They are as strong as Chelsea or our team.
“There are three or more teams that all have chances also to win the title.”
Image courtesy of Chelsea TV via YouTube, with thanks.
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