Soccer

United’s title defence all but over, says José Mourinho

David Moyes left frustrated by defending after Samuel Eto’o hat-trick leaves them seventh

Manchester United manager David Moyes (right) watches from the bench with Phil Neville during the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters
Manchester United manager David Moyes (right) watches from the bench with Phil Neville during the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters
Sun Jan 19 2014 - 18:56

José Mourinho believes Manchester United’s hopes of a successful Barclays Premier League title defence are all but over following Chelsea’s 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

Samuel Eto'o scored a hat-trick as Chelsea moved two points behind leaders Arsenal and a point behind second-placed Manchester City in a result which leaves seventh-placed United 14 points adrift of the summit.

Mourinho thinks David Moyes will be unable to overturn the deficit to all three teams in the remaining 16 games of the season and that United will not be able to retain the title Alex Ferguson won before his retirement in May.

The Chelsea boss said: “It’s a 14-point difference. And 13 (off Manchester City). And 12 (off Chelsea). Can they recover to one of these teams? They can. But to recover to three of them, it needs three teams to have almost a collapse.

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“For the title it will be difficult for them. What I hope they do is beat all the other teams (Chelsea’s rivals) to finish top four.”

Embattled United manager Moyes was left frustrated by the defeat. The Scot conceded United only had themselves to blame for poor defence at the setpiece but said they also had their share of bad luck when Eto’o’s first was deflected over David De Dea’s head.

Javier Hernandez hit a late consolation goal for United, who saw Nemanja Vidic sent off in the final minutes to compound their misery.

“We got a bit unlucky with the first goal,” Moyes said. “It took a bit of a deflection and went over the top, but the other two came from setpieces which is our own fault. There was terrible defending in the first goal and just as bad in the (other) one.

“We didn’t score our goals today and Chelsea did.”

Chelsea defender John Terry was pleased to hand out a "pasting" to United as the Blues remained two points behind the Gunners and one adrift of Manchester City.

“At times we have struggled over the years and Man Utd have come here and really given us a bit of a pasting. They’re not playing the greatest at the moment and it was important we did the same to them today,” Terry told Sky Sports 1. “I think the result shows we’re pushing and trying to keep with Arsenal and Man City. As the manager (Jose Mourinho) said, the other two are looking very strong at the moment and it’s important we are keeping within touching distance with them.

“The last two weeks have been important because we have worked on different defensive work. We are looking much more of a unit now and together.

“It’s very interesting. Man City and Arsenal are looking very good. It was an important game for us today because Man Utd are still a very good side but we won and kept very close to them as we have got a couple of big games coming up and we have to stay within touching distance.”