Jose Mourinho praised a "fantastic" display
after Chelsea completed a Premier League double over Manchester City with a 1-0
win on Monday.
The Chelsea manager watched his side negate City's attack
- which had found the net in their last 61 top-flight home games - and inflict
a first domestic defeat of the season at the Etihad Stadium on Manuel
Pellegrini's men.
Branislav Ivanovic's goal in the 32nd minute of the match
proved enough to secure all three points, but Chelsea - who beat City 2-1 at
Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture - refused to sit back on their lead and
hit the woodwork on three separate occasions.
And Mourinho was delighted to see his team produce such
an effective performance, hailing the three points as a crucial milestone in
Chelsea's development.
"I think we played fantastic, to play the way we did
is amazing," he told Sky Sports. "In this process of building the
team to be one of the favourites for next season this is a very important step.
"The best team in the Premier League - we beat them
twice, today we were fantastic.
"We had the better chances to kill the game, the
players played with fantastic spirit. When they had the ball we were very
humble and ready to work defensively, when we had the ball we played and played
really well."
The victory moves Chelsea level with second-placed City
in the Premier League table, just two points behind leaders Arsenal, but
Mourinho refused to label his side one of the title favourites this season.
"We are there, but not favourites," he added.
"For the team it's very important, the feeling is fantastic feeling for
them.
"Today we won because we were the best team, not
better than them but today they were fabulous.
"It is not our objective to win (the title this
season), our objective is to build the team and complete the formation of the
players.
"I want to start next pre-season and say this season
we are going to compete and be one of the favourites."
Culled from Soccerway
