I think we are doing well: Mourinho

Chelsea coach stays cool after Blues crash 3-2 away at Stoke

STOKE-ON-TRENT: Jose Mourinho refused to press the panic button after Chelsea slipped to a shock 3-2 defeat against Stoke.

Mourinho’s men wasted a chance to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal as Oussama Assaidi’s last-gasp goal condemned the Blues to a frustrating loss at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Mourinho insists Chelsea’s third league defeat of the season won’t have serious consequences for their hopes of winning the title because most of their main challengers are also struggling.

“I think we are doing well,” he said. “To be there, where we are, you see us in relation to Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool and we are not doing bad, even in term of points in the league.”

Mourinho maintained his relaxed approach at the end of a week that saw Chelsea concede six goals in two matches.

While his players wasted a chance to close the gap on Arsenal, Mourinho still gave the squad a rare day off afterwards in the knowledge that their December schedule will be hugely demanding.

A trip to Arsenal on December 23 will go some way to deciding how the title race will run in the second half of the season, while the visit of Liverpool on December 29 is one of four games in 10 games over the holiday period.

“I like to do recovery from the physiological point of view but I think the mental point of view is more important,” he said.

Rodgers won’t put a price on Suarez

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says that he will never put a price on Luis Suarez’s head as he never wants to see the striker leave the club.

Suarez scored his 14th Premier League goal this season as Liverpool beat West Ham United 4-1 at Anfield on Saturday.

It was the fourth time in a row that the Reds had scored four goals at home and Suarez was again one of the shining lights.

“I don’t think you can put a price on him and I wouldn’t want to,” said Rodgers.

“Most teams in the world would want Luis Suarez. I wouldn’t swap Suarez for anyone. I get the chance to work with him every day and what he gives is a relentless desire.”

Pellegrini not fazed by City’s away-day blues

Manuel Pellegrini insisted he was satisfied with a point after Manchester City once again failed to find the answer to their inconsistent away form in a 1-1 draw at Southampton.

Sergio Aguero put City ahead after just nine minutes but Dani Osvaldo’s equaliser before half-time ensured the spoils were shared on Saturday.

And City manager Pellegrini said: “I think this is a good result for us, a good point, and I don’t feel that we lost two points.

“Maybe on other days we would drop points. When you don’t play well and you cannot win, it is important to get a point.”