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Arsenal challenged to extend unbeaten streak by Wenger
12 April 2015
Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal players to go unbeaten from now until the end the season after making it eight Premier League wins in a row at Burnley.
A 1-0 success at Turf Moor on Saturday continued Arsenal's fine run of form and, despite Wenger's public claims, means the north London club are involved in the title race.
Arsenal also remain in the hunt for the FA Cup, with a semi-final against Reading at Wembley next up on Saturday.
"We don't want to stop the run," said the Frenchman.
"There's a good attitude in the team and a great quality. We've won 16 of the last 18 so we are consistent.
"Let's see. It's a challenge for a team not to forget how much it hurts to lose a game and focus on winning the next one.
"We want to keep winning of course, because we have to look behind us as well. Man City, Man United, and after that you have three with Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham as well.
"But we have made a little distance with them now. But Man United and Man City are behind us as well.
"We are in the FA Cup semi-final, we have six games to go with 66 points and we want to continue our run now."
Loic Remy will miss Chelsea's Premier League clash against QPR on Sunday with an unspecified muscle injury.
The extent of the issue is not yet known, but any prolonged period of absence will cause a further headache for manager Jose Mourinho, who is already without top scorer Diego Costa - sidelined for four matches with a hamstring problem.
Remy's injury, sustained in training on Saturday, leaves 37-year-old Didier Drogba as the only recognised striker in the Chelsea squad.
Drogba has played a full 90 minutes just once in the Premier League so far this season.
"We never cry, we never complain, we just concentrate on the people that are on the pitch," Mourinho told Sky Sports.
"We trust him [Drogba] and today we forget Diego and we forget Remy."
Divock Origi will be ready to challenge for a first-team place at Liverpool when he joins his parent club ahead of next season, according to goalkeeper and countryman Simon Mignolet.
Liverpool signed the young forward from Lille in July and immediately loaned him back for 2014-15 to the Ligue 1 club, for whom he has scored 15 goals in 82 appearances.
Mignolet has trained with the 19-year-old during international duty with Belgium and is backing Origi to settle quickly at Anfield.
"I have spoken with him a fair few times about next season, pre-season and how he is going to settle in - not only at the club, but also in the city," Mignolet told Liverpool's official website.
"He's looking forward to next season and I think he'll be ready for the team when he comes in.
"He's only a young player but I'm sure, from what I've seen in training with him, that he's a very good player and will do really well for us.
"He's very quick, he's got skill, he can hold the ball up and score a goal as well - what else do you want from a striker?
"He's got a good attitude to work hard in training, which is always important; he's willing to learn and accepts advice. I can only speak in good terms about him."
Origi has netted seven times in 26 league appearances for Lille this season.
Cesc Fabregas scored with Chelsea's first shot on target two minutes from time to snatch a 1-0 victory at local rivals QPR on Sunday.
With Diego Costa and Loic Remy both out injured, Premier League leaders Chelsea were short of out-and-out attacking options at Loftus Road and looked set to end the match without troubling home goalkeeper Rob Green.
However, Fabregas - wearing a protective face mask after breaking his nose against Stoke City last weekend - drilled home a late winner to cruelly deny Chris Ramsey's side a valuable point in the fight against relegation.
QPR had looked well-drilled and appeared most likely to snatch a winner in the second half - Matt Phillips coming closest for the home side when he turned to shoot in the centre of the penalty area shortly after the hour mark, only for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to push it wide.
But Fabregas, whose former club Arsenal are now Chelsea's main title rivals, had the final say, re-establishing a seven-point advantage at the top with his side's 100th goal in all competitions this season. QPR, meanwhile, remain two points adrift of safety.
A Remy muscle injury sustained in training on Saturday left 37-year-old Didier Drogba as Chelsea's only recognised striker, with Costa having already been ruled out for four matches with a hamstring problem.
And the veteran had justifiable claims for a back pass against Steven Caulker waved away early on.
The incident came after Willian had inadvertently found the right-hand post with a cross into the penalty area, but intentional goalscoring opportunities were at a premium for much of the opening period.
In fact, it took until the last two minutes of the half for either side to register a shot on target.
The ball fell to Charlie Austin just outside the penalty area, but Courtois got down well to his right to save the QPR forward's powerful strike.
Fabregas headed over from close range before the half was up to leave the game goalless at the break.
QPR almost snuck in front at the beginning of the second half when a Phillips cross, from a similar position to the delivery that saw Willian hit the woodwork in the first half, came close to beating Courtois at the far post, eventually bouncing wide.
And the Belgian stopper had to be on his guard again soon after, when Karl Henry – in for Niko Kranjcar as QPR's only change – teed up Clint Hill for a curling effort that was held by Courtois.
Phillips' shot from 12 yards out after 64 minutes perhaps represented QPR's best chance to snatch all three points and Fabregas pounced to punish that wasted opportunity.
A poor Green clearance invited pressure onto the home defence and, teed up by Eden Hazard on his 100th Premier League appearance, Fabregas sent a low strike into the bottom left-hand corner to seal the win.
Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2: Derby joy for Van Gaal´s men
12 April 2015
Manchester United beat rivals Manchester City for the first time in five Premier League attempts with a stirring 4-2 comeback victory at Old Trafford.
City's title defence had crumbled heading into the match amid a run of five defeats in seven matches across all competitions, but the champions briefly displayed their fluent best in the early stages - Sergio Aguero's seventh goal in derbies after seven minutes the reward.
The direct, high-tempo approach United have found success with in recent weeks provided their route back into the match, with Ashley Young levelling before supplying the ammunition for Marouane Fellaini to give the hosts a 27th-minute lead.
Although Louis van Gaal's men were fortunate to be ahead at that stage, they proceeded to dominate their neighbours, who slipped into the kind of lethargic performance now synonymous with their 2015 efforts - heaping pressure on Manuel Pellegrini.
Juan Mata, the hero of United's recent triumph at Anfield, added a third midway through the second half amid strong suspicions of offside and Chris Smalling put the game beyond doubt, with Aguero's late strike - his 100th for City - providing scant consolation for the visitors.
United sit four points clear of fourth-placed City, who face a battle for UEFA Champions League qualification with their season on the brink of total collapse.
Smalling - sent off in United's 1-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium in November - returned from illness to line up in the home defence, with Marcos Rojo dropping to the bench.
City's backline was boosted by captain Vincent Kompany passing a late fitness test.
Despite their wretched recent form, City settled quickly and Jesus Navas raced clear of the United defence on the end of Martin Demichelis' lofted pass, but fellow Spain international David De Gea stood firm to deny him.
Pellegrini's team pegged their opponents back thereafter and, in a move that echoed the duo's combination play in City's famous 6-1 win at Old Trafford in October 2011, James Milner's reverse pass picked out David Silva to set up Aguero for a simple finish.
The visitors pressed forward to increase the damage, but United were back on terms after 14 minutes, Young scrambling home Ander Herrera's low cross at the second attempt.
Young turned then turned provider, combining cleverly with Daley Blind on the left flank and hanging up a cross for Fellaini to power past Joe Hart at the back post.
Fellaini's muscular presence caused City a persistent problem and Pablo Zabaleta made a vital headed clearance to deny the Belgium international a second in first-half stoppage time.
Kompany - who was booked for a rash lunge on Blind late in the first half - made way at the break due to further injury problems, meaning a first derby appearance for Eliaquim Mangala.
United came close to a third in the 52nd minute as Hart pushed a Wayne Rooney free-kick out of the top corner and the England goalkeeper saved from Michael Carrick's follow-up amid a frantic penalty box scramble.
City's early poise had faded to a distant memory by the time United made the points safe in the 67th minute - Demichelis out of position as he ceded possession to Blind, who found Rooney to send Mata scampering through for his eighth league goal of the season.
Questions over Pellegrini's position in the Etihad Stadium dugout are now sure to increase, and the scrambled mindset of his players was thoroughly exposed when Smalling was granted ample room to head home Rooney's free-kick amid further Old Trafford delirium.
Aguero then tucked home Zabaleta's 89th-minute cutback to reach his milestone on arguably the bleakest day of his City career.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho labelled snatching a late win at battling QPR on Sunday as an "important step" to securing the Premier League title.
Mourinho's men looked destined to end the match without registering a single shot on target, but Cesc Fabregas' drilled effort two minutes from time re-established their seven-point lead over Arsenal at the summit.
"Our situation was positive," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "One point would be one less point we need [to win the league] but the reality is three points and it is one less match we need to win.
"It is an important step. The best quality was we controlled the game very well.
"They [QPR] can score, have dangerous players and are very direct. We kept calm and tried to keep calm against a side who were very well organised defensively.
"During the season you always have these moments where you lose and win points at end of the game. We lost points at the end at Old Trafford [1-1 draw in October] and won points in the last few minutes [at QPR].
"I always thought it was very important to keep a clean sheet because it was always going to be difficult to keep a clean sheet here."
Goalscorer Fabregas, who wore a protective mask during the game after breaking his nose last weekend, added: "It was very difficult to play. The pitch was very dry, it was windy and not the circumstances we want to play football.
"But even in the difficult moments we played well."
QPR head coach Chris Ramsey says his players' concentration was "appalling" after conceding a late Cesc Fabregas goal in a 1-0 Premier League defeat to leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
The Loftus Road outfit looked destined to register a hard-earned and valuable point in their relegation dogfight until Fabregas struck in the 88th minute - Chelsea pouncing to punish a poor Rob Green clearance.
And, despite his side's creditable performance for the vast majority of the match, Ramsey was highly critical in his post-match analysis.
"I am very, very disappointed to lose," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "Detail kills you and when you have top players like they do, you get done. One shot or two shots and the top players score.
"We have let two or three goals in from the same position the last few weeks and the players haven't been able to concentrate enough.
"We are still in with a fight, everyone is disappointed and I just feel sorry for the crowd.
"We have ourselves to blame because of our concentration. Our concentration has been appalling. We have let late goals in in most games.
"The players don't need lifting, they will lift themselves."
The result leaves QPR two points adrift of safety having played a game more than most of the teams around them.
Midfielder Joey Barton was more positive in his reflections, as he said: "Real Madrid and Barcelona do not play sides in the bottom three and have such tough games, and that's what makes the Premier League so great.
"You have to compete. They are big physical players. You have to match the desire and that's why they are going to become the champions.
"We just focus on us. We have a number of games and feel our destiny is in our hands if we play like that."
Mourinho: If someone throws a pound, put it in your pocket
12 April 2015
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has played down reports objects were thrown at his players during a 1-0 win at QPR, advising "if somebody threw a pound, put it in your pocket and go".
Cameras appeared to show Branislav Ivanovic holding his neck after seemingly being hit by an object thrown from the stands following Cesc Fabregas' 88th-minute winner on Sunday.
But Mourinho believes the game was played in the right spirit.
"The game was correct," he said. "Correct on the pitch, correct in the stands and hopefully correct outside.
"It is not easy, because emotionally it's a big game for them and a big game for us.
"The referee [Andre Marriner] also helped because he is a very stable man who didn't create problems for the game, he solved them.
"But I think both teams deserved credit because, in a very emotional game, they were very correct.
"If in the end of the game somebody threw a pound, put the pound in your pocket and go. If it is chocolate, eat it. No problem."
Asked whether his players needed a pound, Mourinho responded: "Everybody needs a pound. Never throw a pound away."
Mourinho also revealed the injury that ruled Loic Remy out of Sunday's fixture was minor and that he expected the striker to be available for next weekend's clash with Manchester United.
Losing to Chelsea like failing your driving test - Ramsey
12 April 2015
Chris Ramsey has described QPR's heartbreaking Premier League defeat to Chelsea as being "like failing your driving test".
The Loftus Road outfit looked destined to pick up a valuable point in their fight against relegation until Cesc Fabregas struck in the 88th minute - Chelsea pouncing to punish a poor Rob Green clearance.
QPR now have to wait a fortnight until their next fixture at home to West Ham, but Ramsey would rather get straight back to action.
"I'd rather have another game," he said. "I'd rather go back to 80 minutes.
"It's horrible. This game's almost like failing your driving test when you think you were so close and you failed it, and then you come back and you'd like that time back.
"That's the cruel, cruel game we play in.
"We'd rather another game now to be honest.
"We need to turn this place back into a fortress. We've had some touch, difficult games."
Van Gaal: Manchester United are better than City - it's a fact
By Tom Maston
Apr 12, 2015 19:24:00
The former Barcelona boss believes his team have adapted to his philosophy excellently in their strong recent run and singled out Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini for praise
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes his side have proven themselves to be better than Manchester City following their emphatic derby win.
Goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling secured a 4-2 victory for the Red Devils to move them four points clear of City in third and maintain their push for a Champions League place.
"You are playing for the fans. In the beginning of the season, it was not so fantastic to be a United fan," Van Gaal told reporters.
"This week, they can go on the street and lift their hats, and say we are this year the better team.
"At this moment we are four points ahead [of City] so that's a fact. We still have six matches to go and that can be changes again."
Marouane Fellaini delivered another strong performance and received a standing ovation from the Old Trafford faithful when he was replaced in the second half.
"He is very important for the team, he has scored goals under big pressure when we needed him. He always plays the ball to the same colour which is very important. I'm very happy for him.
"Fellaini from day one is the player who always did what I asked. You can say not always very good but never badly. That's always important for a manager that a player gives a certain level of performance."
Van Gaal's philosophy has been questioned by many since his arrival at Old Trafford, though Phil Jones claimed on Saturday that the team were starting to understand the way in which the Dutch coach wants them to play.
And the former Barcelona boss feels his players should be praised for handling the pressure and managing a switch in formation to 4-3-3 in recent weeks.
"We have made already big steps in the last six games, because after the defeat against Arsenal [in the FA Cup] it was very difficult of course for my team to stand up and to maintain our confidence in the philosophy," he added to Sky Sports.
"I have to say all the credit to the players because they have to do it under pressure, under the expectations of the fans because the fans were expecting today that we would win, and of course after the match you can say we have won but it is not so easy, you can see also the stress of the players in the first 10 minutes."
As well as netting United's first goal, Young also claimed two assists in his role as a left-winger as the England international put in another encouraging performance.
And Van Gaal was full of praise for the ex-Aston Villa man despite Sergio Aguero's late consolation being created down his flank.
"Yeah I think Ashley Young was man of the match… I've seen it [on television]! So I think that is right because I found that also, he was very good.
"He was involved with the first three goals, very important goals, and he did his job as a left winger. When he was left midfielder he let in one goal but OK, I can…how do you say… I can accept it."
Van Gaal also revealed Michael Carrick is set for further tests after he was withdrawn from the action late on with a tight calf muscle.
The former Swansea City striker completed a €35 million move to the Premier League champions in January but has failed to live up to his price tag so far at the Etihad Stadium
Wilfried Bony admits Manchester City may not see the best of him until next season as he looks to settle into life at the Etihad Stadium.
The Ivory Coast international joined the Premier League champions from Swansea City in a €35 million deal in January but he has scored just once in five Premier League appearances thus far.
Bony, who has suffered injuries and was absent at the Africa Cup of Nations, concedes that he is yet to hit top form for his new club, but has vowed to return to his best in the 2015-16 season.
“Yes it’s been very frustrating, first because of injury and second because we are not winning games,” he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.
“No one expects you to be 100 per cent in the first few weeks. I’m working very hard to get it back.
"It’s not coming as I would have expected and I'm not 100% yet but I hope to get quicker and score more.
“I still want to do something this season but next season I will be very good.”
Pellegrini rejects questions over future after City´s derby thrashing
12 April 2015
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini refused to discuss his future at the club following the humbling 4-2 derby defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Chasing a fifth consecutive win over their rivals, City took a deserved seventh-minute lead through Sergio Aguero.
But by the time Aguero added his second of the match and 100th in City colours in the 89th minute, United had run roughshod over the reigning Premier League champions with a display of pace, power and tenacity that their opponents were ill-equipped to match.
First-half goals from Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini followed by second-half efforts by Juan Mata and Chris Smalling were the sum of City's humiliation as they crashed to a sixth loss in eighth matches.
The prospect of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification now sits alongside the ruins of City's title defence but, speaking at a post-match press conference, Pellegrini did not feel this was cause to discuss his present job prospects.
"I'm not talking about my position," he said. "It's not important."
Liverpool could move to fifth position and within four points of City with six games to play if they beat Newcastle United on Monday night.
Nevertheless, Pellegrini remains calm over his team's standing ahead of back-to-back home games against West Ham and Aston Villa.
"Winning - it's the only way," he said when asked how City could turn their alarming slump around.
"We are concerned to try and win the next game. We have to play six games more.
"We have 18 more points to play (for) so we must not make it a dramatic thing in this moment because we have to play now two games at home."
"We must try to recover as soon as we can from this defeat and try to win the next game."
After their worst ever start to a Premier League season and another early elimination from the Champions League, the 50-year-old expecting things to get better
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis says he is "not happy" with the team's achievements this season.
After ending a nine-year wait for silverware last season with the FA Cup, a trophy they can retain this term, the Gunners again failed in the Champions League and, although they are currently in fine form, a realistic title charge never materalised early enough.
Arsene Wenger oversaw the club's worst start to a campaign for 32 years but much-improved form in 2015 has seen them rise to second place. Gazidis, though, has set his sights higher and is looking for improvement heading into next season.
"We are not happy but we are going to keep pushing to the end and see how far we can go," Gazidis told reporters.
He added: "We are happy with the way the squad has developed and we are very focused how we can make a positive end to the season. After that it will be a question of how can we progress the team further so that we can have an even better season next year.
"We have a squad that's clearly coming together. It's a relatively young squad so it will continue to improve. We had a lot of new players this year who are beginning to gel together. We had a lot of injuries at the beginning of the season as well.
"Also coming off a World Cup year there are a lot of complex issues. We were trying to put the jigsaws into the right places at the beginning of the season. I think everyone can see those pieces are now beginning to fit. It gives us great optimism for the future."
The Premier League recently sealed a 70 per cent rise in domestic TV revenue starting from 2016-17, prompting a dramatic rise in prize money, and Gazidis believes the English top-flight will be more closely contested than ever as a result.
"I think the league is going to get more and more competitive," Gazidis said. "I do think that is a long-term trend. People talk about Financial Fair Play inhibiting competition.
"I think it's completely the opposite because what it means is, you are going to see more Southamptons, more challenger teams coming in because revenue has gone up.
"Most of this new revenue is shared very, very equally around the league. We are going to have teams who will to be able to sign top class players. There will be teams that do it very, very well and they are going to be challenging for those top-four places.
"So I think it's going to become more competitive which is going to be more challenging for clubs like us but I think it's going to be great news for broadcasters."
Wenger: The title is Chelsea’s but we can nail down second place
Apr 12, 2015 16:05:00
The Arsenal manager believes the west Londoners are "too comfortable" to overtake, but he is keen to maintain his own side's winning run
Arsene Wenger maintains that Chelsea are virtually assured of winning the Premier League title this season, but has urged his Arsenal side to keep up their strong form as they bid to retain the FA Cup and finish second in the league.
The Gunners have won eight straight league matches – the longest winning streak of any side this season – and occupy second spot, seven points behind Chelsea who beat QPR 1-0 on Sunday.
Although Wenger has conceded that the west Londoners are “too comfortable” to catch, he is determined to ensure his side’s fine form does not falter.
“Nothing has changed,” the Frenchman told reporters. “They are still too comfortable, Chelsea.
“We need a perfect run and we need a non-perfect run from them. So we cannot master that. We can only master our own attitude. I feel they are still in a comfortable position.”
He continued: “We don't want to stop the run. There's a good attitude in the team and a great quality. We've won 16 of the last 18 so we are consistent.
“Let's see. It's a challenge for a team not to forget how much it hurts to lose a game and focus on winning the next one.
“We want to keep winning of course, because we have to look behind us as well. Man City, Man United, and after that you have three with Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham as well.
“We are in the FA Cup semi-final, we have six games to go with 66 points and we want to continue our run now.”
Arsenal overcame Burnley 1-0 en route to their eighth successive Premier League win, and Wenger admits his side were given a tough test at Turf Moor, with the Frenchman even hoping the Clarets stay up after such a plucky display.
“I'm pleased with the performance because it was more a fighting performance than a fluent performance and many people question us on that side,” Wenger added.
“I must say that I'm surprised by the quality of Burnley. It would be a shame if they go down because they are fantastically well organised, they press very well, they have a great solidarity and they are very fit.
“I understand now why they took points from the big teams here. We had to fight; we had to be combative until the end - we couldn't score the second goal.
“Our defenders played well today and that got us the three points. Our defenders, keeper included, deserve credit.”
'Wenger, Van Gaal... now me' - Pellegrini slams Premier League sack culture
By Harry Sherlock
Apr 12, 2015 12:35:00
The Chilean has overseen a poor run of results but has hit out at the way in which Manchester City's form has been critiqued, while he concedes the title race is all but over
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has hit out at the sacking culture he believes is prevalent in the Premier League and insists he is not feeling the heat.
The Chilean has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks, with the soon-to-be-dethroned champions’ title defence all but over after a series of poor performances.
A 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday has seen them fall nine points behind leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand, leading to speculation surrounding Pellegrini's future.
However, the Chilean insists he is unaffected by the club's recent run of poor form and says if every manager was sacked on the basis of a few bad results, then only Jose Mourinho would be safe from scrutiny.
“The pressure for the manager of a big team is always the same. This season you sack (Arsene) Wenger. After that (Louis) Van Gaal,” he is quoted as saying by the Daily Express.
“After that you sack the Liverpool manager (Brendan Rodgers). After that you sack me. After that you sack the Everton manager (Roberto Martinez).
“You sack all except the team who are top of the table.
“Go to Spain and they sack Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti. So what pressure are people talking about?
“The pressure is to win, to play well and to try to win titles. Normally you can’t win the title here with the same team because you have very strong teams.”
Pellegrini readily admits that City have stuttered in recent months, and concedes that their title challenge is all but over.
“In the last three months we threw it into the garbage,” he added. “But for the fans it’s still important to finish as near to the top of the table as you can.”
Louis van Gaal hailed his finest moment as Manchester United manager after the 4-2 derby thrashing of Manchester City.
Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling got the goals as United turned in a rampant display reminiscent of their glory years under Alex Ferguson.
Yet Van Gaal still had slight cause for complaint after a sluggish start allowed Sergio Aguero to give City a deserved early lead.
The Argentina striker went on to net his 100th goal for last season's Premier League champions - scant consolation on a day that will live long in the memory for Van Gaal and his players.
"Maybe the best feeling but not the best performance because we started very badly, more or less like against Burnley, I believe," the Dutchman told his post-match press conference.
"But after the assist of David de Gea [the goalkeeper's long punt that set the move for Young's equaliser in motion], more or less we are regaining our confidence.
"We scored a goal, we scored a second goal - a fantastic attack.
"The second half was fantastic, I think."
Fellaini's muscular presence in attack repeatedly unsettled the City defence and Van Gaal enjoyed the warm ovation afforded to a player who often found himself cast as the scapegoat when United disappointed under David Moyes' management last term.
"The fans also see that he is very important for the team," Van Gaal said of the Belgium international.
"He scores goals, he gives pressure when we need it and he plays always the ball to the same colour. I'm very happy for him."
He added: "When you see how the fans are responding to the substitutions of Mata or Fellaini or Phil Jones - standing ovations; [this is] fantastic for the players, I think."
The Blues boss says his blueprint is aimed at building a team that will benefit the club in the long-term
Jose Mourinho has warned title rivals he is building a Chelsea team that can compete for the next decade.
The Blues currently sit four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table with two games in hand and are closing in on the double after their League Cup triumph earlier this year.
Although Chelsea are closing in on the title, Mourinho insists the current crop of players are not his main focus and has praised owner Roman Abramovich’s vision in laying down the roots for many more title challenges in the future.
"We are building a team for a long time, for the next 10 years," he said. "That is the objective. More important than my team is Chelsea's future.
"He [Roman Abramovich] is good for Chelsea, good for English football, good for European football. Chelsea because of him have become a strength, a top club in the country and a top club in Europe.
"The decision to accept the rules and play under the rules I think is a big decision compared with other clubs and other owners that didn't accept the rules and didn't want to play under the rules."
Though the title is within touching distance, Mourinho says everyone at the club is progressing one game at a time, beginning with Sunday's clash against QPR at Loftus Road.
"We don't want to be influenced by anything," he added. "We just think about ourselves. I know we have a game on Sunday. We know the opponent.
"We know the players. We know the stadium. We know everything. We know it will be difficult, but we just focus on that.
"When the QPR match finishes, then we think about what next. I like this situation about being isolated of everything. It's just us."
With Manchester United finally accustomed to life under manager Louis van Gaal, former defender Gary Neville believes the Premier League giants can only get better following Sunday's derby win.
United claimed bragging rights and consolidated third position in the table after routing reigning champions Manchester City 4-2 in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford - the club's first derby win since 2012.
Goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling cancelled out City's eighth-minute opener via Sergio Aguero, who netted a consolation in the final minute of regulation time, as United moved four points clear of their neighbours with six matches remaining.
Having chalked up impressive victories over City, Liverpool and Tottenham in the past month, Neville said United can mount a serious title bid if they can improve on losses to Swansea City, Sunderland and Leicester City.
"Next season, [Van Gaal] will look at games he's dropped points in in this season and will think because that level of performance has come now, they could win those games next season," Neville said via Sky Sports' Super Sunday.
"I think the confidence will be growing in the camp. There are people in that dressing room who have won titles, and they'll get the feeling again that the performance levels and confidence is coming back.
"That's the first time Louis van Gaal, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini have seen Old Trafford properly today in terms of an atmosphere.
"It's what Manchester United can create and that will give them enormous confidence. It always does when you win big matches."
Neville added: "They're getting so confident now. It is a fantastic four performances.
"Against Spurs, you were maybe saying: 'Spurs were poor that day, they were flaky.' So you were thinking: 'Is that the real deal?'
"To go to Anfield and win makes you really sit up, because it's a tough place to play no matter how Liverpool are playing, what point in the season it is, or what point Liverpool or United are in in their development.
"But to come here today, especially after City started well and went a goal up, that's a proper performance."
Newcastle United are not daunted by their clash at Anfield, with interim coach John Carver relishing the opportunity of causing an upset.
Newcastle face Liverpool on the back of four consecutive Premier League defeats following their 1-0 loss to Sunderland in last week's Tyne-Wear derby, while Liverpool reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup via a narrow 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday.
Anfield has been an unhappy ground for Newcastle over the years, having not won a league game at the iconic stadium since 1994 - but Carver is excited by the trip.
"It is a great place to go," said Carver, whose Newcastle side are 13th in the standings.
"Manchester United have just been there and won, they had a difficult situation against Arsenal, they had an FA Cup game against Blackburn on a difficult surface.
"They are in the semi-final of the cup and still have a chance, in my opinion, of finishing in the top four, because they have got so many good players.
"Anfield - the history of football, for me, is Anfield. If you don't want to go there and have a go, then don't be a professional footballer."
Steve Bruce says keeping Hull City in the Premier League represents the "most difficult challenge" of his KC Stadium tenure.
Having guided Hull to promotion from the Championship in his first season at the helm, Bruce kept them up last term and enjoyed a run to the FA Cup final.
However, with six games remaining Hull are just two points above the relegation zone, with Saturday's 2-0 loss at Southampton their sixth match without a win.
It has left Bruce in no doubt that his side are in a fight for their top-flight lives.
"We have had a wonderful three years," he said in quotes reported by the Hull Daily Mail.
"But I always had something in my water thinking this would be the most difficult challenge.
"All of a sudden, there was an expectation. And we haven't been able to live up to that. But I still hope we have enough to keep us out of trouble.
"The supporters realise we are in a bit of a scrap. We are Hull City and have only been in this top league for four years.
"No-one was naive enough to think it was going to be easy. From what I grasp of the city, the fans have been right behind me.
"Of course, when results go against you, there are going to be a few people who are shouting for the manager. But our fans came down here in droves and everyone is up for the challenge. And I am sure we can do it."
Hull are not in action again until the trip to Bruce's former club Crystal Palace on April 25, by which time they could have dropped into the bottom three.
