Mourinho dismisses Ferguson’s mind games

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at Alex Ferguson over his suggestion that Chelsea’s title challenge will collapse in the north of England.

Ferguson claimed Chelsea’s title challenge could be derailed when the Londoners travel to play more northern sides in the New Year.

The United manager, a past master at mind games, warned the Premiership leaders that they have only travelled further north than Birmingham in the league on two occasions so far - losing against Manchester City and winning at Middlesbrough. Chelsea, who go into the Christmas period five points clear of Arsenal and nine ahead of United, visit the northern outposts of Blackburn, Everton, Bolton, Newcastle and, of course, Old Trafford, in the second half of the season and Ferguson insisted: “Chelsea will find it difficult coming north to get points.”