English Premier League – Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea
Coach Jose Mourinho speaks about the win and the perfect 7-1-0 start to the season
‘The way we imposed our game pleases me most. I said yesterday they are better than us in the way they play their game. If you come here and don’t impose your game you have no chance.
‘The only chance is to impose your game and from minute one to minute 94 we imposed our game: we had the ball, we were in control, we were very far from our box, we moved the ball very well and we played between the lines.
‘I think we played very well, really. 10 against 10 is easier than 11 against 11. It’s not the same. At half-time we spoke about the differences. My players’ interpretation of 10 against 10 was magnificent. The way Matic, Fabregas and Oscar moved to benefit from it was fantastic.
‘The only thing we didn’t do well was not to score the third goal and kill the game, and to give Palace a chance.’
Oscar opened the scoring with a wonderful free-kick
‘He did fantastically against Arsenal and again today. He’s the number 10 that plays with the ball at his feet. He’s a number 10 that looks back and to the side. He analyses the game and sees where the team needs him. He creates balances.
‘For example, in the first half when they had McArthur man to man on Fabregas, I was so happy with that because Fabregas was taking McArthur from the central area and Oscar was dropping back to play. Him and Matic controlled the game completely for us.
‘Oscar has had a mental and tactical evolution that has allowed him to be a fantastic player. Can he physically improve? Of course, but people forget he’s still so young. There are great conditions in front of him to keep improving.’
Both sides were reduced to 10 men shortly before the interval
‘The point is to try to think quickly, and to try and bring stability to the team. I did it immediately and after that I was lucky to have half-time. I didn’t even think about the red card decisions.’
On whether his team will win the league this season
‘If we were in another league I would say immediately yes, but in the Premier League the only thing I can say is we can do it. In the Premier League it’s difficult to say we are going to do it. There is a long way to go and there are very difficult games in front of us, so I don’t want to say that.
‘What I can say is we are a better team than last season; there is a clear evolution in our team and not just based on the fact we bought fantastic players. But to win the title? There is a long way to go.’
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