have conceded more than once in Manchester - against City
or United
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's week from hell
concluded in a fitting manner as he suffered the misery of
watching his Premier League champions comprehensively
dismantled by Manchester City.
The start of Chelsea's title defence has been overshadowed
by the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that saw Mourinho
remove medical staff Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearn from their
touchline roles after infuriating the manager by entering the
Stamford Bridge playing surface to attend to Eden Hazard in
the 2-2 draw with Swansea City.
From the opening seconds of City's emphatic 3-0 victory it
was Chelsea who looked like a suitable case for treatment -
despite Mourinho's farcical claim that the scoreline did not
reflect the game.
In truth, it did not, but not in the way Mourinho thought. City
could have inflicted more punishment, leaving Chelsea and
their manager with much to ponder after a poor start.
Doctor's orders
Mourinho has faced heavy flak for his decision to effectively
demote Carneiro and Fearn, especially from the medical
profession, but also from some Chelsea fans who feel it was
an over-reaction - even from a manager and personality
they adore.
Such was the apparent sensitivity of the situation that the
normally talkative Mourinho drew a line under questions
about the subject at his pre-match media briefing,
threatening to cut the news conference short if pressed on
the matter.
There was almost a pantomime air to proceedings when the
new medical team of Chris Hughes and Steven Hughes
made their first appearance to treat the stricken Gary Cahill
at Etihad Stadium, Manchester City's fans rising in a
standing ovation and embellishing the mirth with the chant
of "You're Getting Sacked In The Morning".
To add a macabre tone, Diego Costa then suffered a head
wound as Cahill was still receiving treatment, forcing the
City medics into action as Chelsea's were otherwise
engaged. Where was another Chelsea doctor - or two -
when you need one?
On Sunday's evidence, his medical staff are the least of
Mourinho's worries and he will maintain he has acted within
his authority. He will not move from that position and sees
no need to offer the apology some have suggested he might.
Chelsea's performance at City was so bad that it unwittingly
did the job Mourinho required, pushing the debate off the
agenda and on to on-field matters.
It has, however, provided an unseemly sideshow and a
distraction at a time when Mourinho must focus his full
attention on a Chelsea team that is clearly out of sorts?
