Mindset the most important factor for Mourinho

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho is taking nothing for granted even though his side rediscovered their mental toughness after being given a scare by lowly Norwich.

When Leon McKenzie equalised for the Canaries 19 minutes into the second half to end Petr Cech’s astonishing run of 1,025 minutes without conceding a league goal, there was the immediate sense another chink had appeared in the Chelsea armour.

The surprise failings against Newcastle in the FA Cup and Barcelona in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League showdown were on the brink of being magnified by a City side staring relegation in the face.

Even last week’s Carling Cup triumph was not without its problems and now here were an unfancied, unheralded Norwich seemingly on the brink of further agitating Mourinho.

Momentarily, despite knowing nearest title rivals Manchester United had dropped two points in a goalless draw at Crystal Palace, Chelsea again appeared vulnerable. Yet the hallmark of champions is showing desire and mettle in the face of growing adversity and Chelsea duly responded with two goals in seven minutes. More than anything, that is what pleased Mourinho as he said: “they scored a good goal and it put some pressure on the result. But the team changed mentally at that moment and the good thing for me was our quick reaction. We reacted well, we showed intensity, desire and risk. We were too strong mentally for them, scoring two goals to kill the game.”

That mentality would appear to be what is separating Chelsea from United and Arsenal this season, not least the eight-point gap that has also now opened up.

Yet while the finishing line may be in sight, Mourinho knows his side have not crossed it as he added: “if we think the job is done, then it’s not done.

“We realise that we still have to win a few matches. We think game after game and we need another six victories and a draw to be sure. All we have to do is control the distance we have between us.”

The distance between Norwich and Chelsea was at times simply light years as the Blues played with a cutting edge City were unable to handle. No wonder Canaries boss Nigel Worthington could not help but stand back and admire not only what Chelsea have achieved this season, but the man behind the success in Mourinho.

“Chelsea are a quality, quality team,” extolled Worthington.

“They are solid, patient and relentless and I can understand why they are top of the league. Hand on heart, they will probably go on to win the league.

“What he has done for Chelsea this year is turn individual talent into a team. That’s the strength of the football club. He is also honest, he says what he thinks and he has a way with the players in terms of his man management. He has been great for the English game and I’ve every respect for him.”

With the exception of one spell midway through the second half when McKenzie headed home the equaliser to cancel out Joe Cole’s searing 20-yard strike in the 22nd minute, Chelsea looked every inch champions-elect.

They answered City’s brief riposte with two goals in seven minutes, firstly through Mateja Kezman two minutes after his arrival as a sub, and then Ricardo Carvalho’s first for the club.