English Premier League: Mourinho warns against complacency

The Portuguese believes a seven-point gap is not enough.

LONDON: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists the Premier League title race is not over even though the Blues extended their lead at the top to seven points with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa as second-placed Manchester City fluffed their lines at home to Hull City.

Branislav Ivanovic’s second-half winner enabled the league leaders to take advantage of City’s draw and strengthen their grip on pole position on Saturday.

“In another country I would say it’s fantastic, in this country I would say it’s nothing,” said Mourinho. “Every game is difficult, anything can happen.”

City had kept Chelsea within their sights by holding Mourinho’s side to a draw at Stamford Bridge last weekend, but after drawing 1-1 against Hull, the champions’ grip on the title is weakening.

“It is difficult to know what the reason is for the spark going,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini. “Every point you lose, it is more difficult to recover.”

Pellegrini fielded Edin Dzeko up front alongside Sergio Aguero, but it was Hull who showed the greater enterprise as they hauled themselves out of the relegation zone.

Meyler broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, sweeping home after Gaston Ramirez’s low shot hit the right-hand post before Milner bent in a fine 25-yard free-kick in the 92nd minute.

Rodgers impressed by Liverpool’s ‘Rolls Royce’ stars

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praised the performance of the youngsters in his team as they played a leading role in extending Liverpool’s long unbeaten record against Everton in their goalless draw on Saturday.

“What was pleasing tonight in such an intense atmosphere was the composure of my young players,” said Rodgers.  

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th,  2015.

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