Whenever points are lost at the last moment, the immediate response is to look at what went wrong. It is entirely natural, especially when it becomes a recurring theme.
Chelsea have visited Manchester twice this season. They have taken the lead in each game, only to concede a late leveller. It feels very unMourinho-like, to coin a new and unwieldy term, but it has happened twice. Four points have slipped through Chelsea’s grasp. The most ruthless manager in the business has seen a side packed full of powerful physical specimens, seemingly overflowing with battle-hardened, indomitable characters, show two moments of vulnerability.
The temptation is to say that it could cost them. The probability is that it won’t. The Premier League owes much to Frank Lampard and Robin van Persie over the years. With their equalisers against Chelsea in the current campaign, they have maintained the pretence there is a title race.
Without them, the league leaders would have nine wins out of nine. As it is, their start remains imposing. They already are 10 points ahead of United and nine clear of Liverpool, both of whom require a significant improvement simply to finish in the top four. They are eight clear of Arsenal and enjoy a six-point gap over Manchester City. The defending league champions are often branded the only team who can halt Chelsea, but producing patchy performances and with some ragged defensive displays, that is based more on the pedigree of their players and their record of winning two titles in three years rather than their exploits this season.
They should count themselves fortunate Chelsea are not two points farther away. Branislav Ivanovic can testify to the flaws in the card-happy Phil Dowd’s officiating at Old Trafford on Sunday: denied a penalty when Chris Smalling rugby-tackled him, he was dismissed for two offences that certainly were not both bookable, if either were. Had any one of those decisions gone a different way, Chelsea surely would have won.
Instead, they can take solace from the numbers. Jose Mourinho’s greatness as a manager is apparent in the facts and figures. He has an immaculate record in his second seasons, winning the domestic title in his sophomore year at Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid. History shows that, by then, it is his team, with his signings and the sense of unity and purpose his finest sides have exhibited.
Now Chelsea boast the only unbeaten record in English football. Indeed, they have not lost in any competition since April. They have only trailed in games for 37 minutes this season – three to Burnley, 34 to Swansea – and won both of those matches.
A difficulty beating the lesser lights cost them the crown last season. That seems to have been rectified, partly by the addition of the outstanding Diego Costa. Mourinho’s model is to take at least four points against each of his immediate rivals, avoiding defeat away and winning at home, and his side’s defensive record on the road against elite opposition is outstanding.
Since his return, Mourinho has taken Chelsea to United, City, Liverpool and Arsenal for six league games. His side have only conceded two goals in that time. They can demoralise opponents even without defeating them.
Perhaps the only major roadblock on the route to glory would come in the form of a major injury to Costa. The saga of the striker’s hamstrings threatens to become a subplot for the whole season, but it was notable how well Chelsea coped in his absence at Old Trafford.
Didier Drogba’s 36-year-old frame means he is unsuited for an extended spell in the side. Consistency has not always been his forte, but he illustrated against United that he can rouse himself and relive the past when required. His headed opener brought to mind his 2011/12 campaign, when he only scored five league goals, but struck in the final and semi-final of both the FA Cup and the Champions League. Perhaps, at a more advanced age and despite looking rusty after his return to Stamford Bridge, he remains a big-game, and a big-moment, player.
If so, this unconventional understudy could prove a valuable bit-part player. Chelsea have perhaps the most potent player in the division in Costa, the most reliably creative central playmaker (Cesc Fabregas), the finest defensive midfielder (Nemanja Matic) and one of the outstanding wingers, in Eden Hazard. Factor in the best back four and a goalkeeper, in Thibaut Courtois, who may soon be ranked as the world’s foremost, and it adds up to a winning formula. Include the Mourinho factor and Chelsea can afford to concede the odd late equaliser. Galling as they are to perfectionists.
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