City myth exploded by Mourinho masterclass

Jose Mourinho always told us he was “not one out of the bottle” but his managerial and tactical masterclass at the Etihad, which has transformed the title race, was special even by his own standards.

Chelsea’s deserved victory over Manchester City — against a team that had scored almost four goals a game at home against everyone else this season — not only ended the title favourites’ remarkable three-year unbeaten run but burst the myth that the Premier League title favourites are unbeatable. And most of all it underlined that Mourinho’s talent really is as big as his ego.

Of course everyone should know Jose is a man for the big occasion; during his previous spell as Chelsea manager he lost just two games against United, Arsenal and Liverpool out of 19 matches — and this season, too, despite patchy form, Chelsea’s record now includes home and away victories over City and no defeats against direct title rivals. So if ever there was a man to end such a long wait for any away team to win a league match at the Etihad then it was always going to be him.