Chelsea FC: Mourinho Finally Breaks Villa Park Hoodoo
By Lou Flavius
Chelsea FC boss Jose Mourinho has not fared too well when visiting Aston Villa’s home ground — until today. The manager saw his team grind out a 2-1 victory away from home, against a recalcitrant Villa.
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During his last visit to Villa park, the Portuguese tactician had two of his players (Ramires and Willian) sent off, as well as getting marching orders himself. The Villans went on to win the game through a solitary goal scored by Fabian Delph, a victory which all but ended Chelsea’s title push.
Playing at Villa Park has always been a daunting task for the Blues, but going there without top scorer Diego Costa and the hawk-eyed Cesc Fabregas, made it all the more challenging. With Costa out on suspension and Fabregas struggling with a bad hamstring, others would have to step up.
Step up they did. Eden Hazard put the Blues ahead in the eighth minute after Willian fed him with a lovely pass in the box. Chelsea would have to weather the storm for the remainder of the first half, as Villa refused to lie down.
The pressure would pay off for Paul Lambert’s men in the second half. Jores Okore ended Villa’s 11-hour goal drought on 48 minutes with a free header off a Carles Gil delivery.
“The referee was very, very good. Very, very good in the way he controlled the emotions of the game.”
Chelsea supporters may have been quite embarrassed after seeing their team concede to an Aston Villa who had not scored a Premier League goal since Dec. 20.
Branislav Ivanovic calmed nerves in the 66th minute of the match. The Serbian defender restored the lead with a superb half-volley, taking his tally against Villa to five goals in seven meetings.
The Blues would see the game out till the end, claiming their first ever victory at Villa Park under Mourinho. The manager was visibly upbeat about the result, but that may be down to the fact that his team has now opened a seven-point lead over Manchester City (who drew 1-1 with Hull City).
Mourinho — who refused to speak to journalists last weekend — fulfilled his media obligations after the match today. The manager was full of praise for referee Neil Swarbrick, hailing the official’s good performance.
"“It was a very difficult game, the stadium is a difficult place to go. The referee was very, very good. Very, very good in the way he controlled the emotions of the game.”-Jose MourinhoSource: Mirror"
The Blues have a decent lead at the top, but Mourinho insists that the title race is far from over. City may find it extremely difficult to catch up, but you never know in this Premier League.
"“It is possibly the only league in Europe where teams from the bottom can play against the top ones and not just make things difficult but win points.”“I like [that Man City drew] but that was not my concern today. I was never in the game asking for that result. We have to think about us and focus on our matches.”"
Having finally broken the curse of Villa Park, Mourinho can cross it off his list. St. James’ Park is still unconquered though, let’s see what happens next season.