Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho had a horrible return to his former employers as Chelsea destroyed his team 4-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Mourinho was making his first return to Stamford Bridge after he was sacked in December 2015.
The Blues gained the lead in 33 seconds when Pedro netted the first goal. Gary Cahill smashed in the second after United allowed Eden Hazard's corner to bounce in their box. Hazard, who has hit top form this season, made it 3-0 to leave the United defense in shambles. Former Leicester City player N'Golo Kante scored the fourth and sealed victory as Chelsea moved within a point from table toppers Manchester City.
Mourinho, who delivered seven trophies in his two spells at Chelsea, was greeted well by the home players and fans. However, as Chelsea bossed the game, the home fans could not resist a cheeky dig at their former manager, chanting "you're not special anymore" to the self-proclaimed Special One. It was the heaviest defeat for Mourinho in all competitions since Real Madrid's 5-0 loss to Barcelona in November 2010.
Conte, Mourinho face-off
After the match, Mourinho accused Chelsea manager Antonio Conte of trying to humiliate him as tensions spilled over into the tunnel post-match, with back-room staff of both clubs clashing. Mourinho was infuriated by Conte’s antics to get the home supporters cheering after Kanté scored and told the Chelsea manager about his unhappiness at the final whistle. Mourinho appeared to tell Conte he should behave like that “at 1-0, not at 4-0”. However, when a member of the United coaching staff ignored Conte’s outstretched hand as they turned to retreat down the tunnel, it provoked a heated argument with a member of Chelsea’s own back-room team.
Both managers chose not to elaborate on their post-match conversation to the media, but neither denied the version of events. “I think that a private conversation must remain private,” Conte said. “If someone discovers something, okay... but for me the private conversation remains private.”
Mourinho said, “You know me: I spoke to Conte, not to you. I’m not the kind of guy to come here and share with you things I don’t want to share. What is between me and Antonio is for us... or up to him to talk if he wants to. That is his problem. I have no comment.”
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