MOURINHO HAILS CHELSEA’S “BEAUTIFUL” FIRST-HALF PERFORMANCE
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Jose Mourinho has praised Chelsea’s first-half display against West Brom on Saturday afternoon, though admits his side’s performance level dipped in the second period.
The Premier League leaders raced into an early lead thanks to goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, but failed to net again despite Claudio Yacob being shown a red card after just half an hour.
Despite failing to capitalise on their numerical advantage, Mourinho was nevertheless pleased with his side’s attacking football in a first half in which they created a host of chances and were denied only by the heroics of Ben Foster.
“The first half I think was brilliant. Beautiful. The quality of football was another dimension,” the Portuguese told reporters after watching his side extend their unbeaten run.
“It was comfortable but I thought in the first half we played amazingly well. In the first half we have to be 3-0, 4-0, 5-0 up. But the quality of our football was there.
“We made the pitch very wide, we created spaces in the central area, and the result should be better than 2-0. We are playing well.
“We are getting the results that we deserve and I'm pleased that we did. Especially after 15 days when I have no players to work with. But it's three important points.”
Rather than blame his players for their lack of intensity in the second period, Mourinho was keen to praise the resolve shown by West Brom, who neither capitulated nor conceded once reduced to 10 men.
“In the second half with 10 men I think [West Brom] did very, very well,” the Chelsea boss continued.
“They didn't try to discuss the points of the game – it is impossible to do it with 10 men for such a long time – but they played very well, very well organised and keep that short result.
"Instead of blaming my players because I could feel the intensity of our game went a little bit down, but instead of being negative with my players I prefer to praise in the fair way West Brom did in the second half."
Asked if he was annoyed by his side’s lack of intensity in the second half, Mourinho joked: “I’m always annoyed!”
Diego Costa was given a break from international duty, with Vicente del Bosque opting not to pick the half-fit striker, and Mourinho believes the forward has benefited from the rest.
The Portuguese coach added: “It's easy to see the difference in him now, because now he can run, he can sprint, he can challenge for every duel.”
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