Mourinho puzzled by Pellegrini flak

The Blues are seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal and 12 ahead of holders City, who are fourth, entering this weekend's fixtures.

Mourinho is unable to fathom media talk of an implosion by Pellegrini's men in a competitive top flight.

The Chelsea boss says the media wants numerous teams to fight for the title, but then pounce on perceived failure.

"I'm not surprised because it can happen to anyone," said Mourinho, when asked about City's run of four wins in 12 league games.

"Every game is difficult. What I'm surprised about is that a team that won two titles in three years, a team that are still champions and won two trophies last season, you (the media) can bring this team to hell.

"It looks like they don't deserve respect, that they are bad players, that the manager is a bad manager, that they are a disaster. And they are the champions. I don't understand.

"So how can you be so negative with a team that's won two titles in three years? Okay, they won't win this title this year, but they did last year.

"Some clubs and managers can not win and life goes on, but the guys at Man City - it looks like they're criminals because they don't win the league."

Some reports suggest Pellegrini's job is under threat, with Borussia Dortmund's outgoing coach Jurgen Klopp among those linked.

Mourinho said: "I feel it's amazing. It doesn't matter the problems. You are the champions and people are already pushing you. It's a big contradiction.

"If there are two people pushing for the title, you are the man if you win it and you lose? You want five, six, seven teams to fight for the title, only one can win the title."

When it was pointed out that clubs sack managers, not the media, Mourinho said: "With the pressure you do - you give a big help."

Chelsea's handsome advantage at the summit suggests a dominant performance this term, but Mourinho was adamant it has not been a straightforward campaign and the title must still be claimed.

"(The league is) more difficult than ever," he said.

"For me, the difficulty of every game is amazing. In the last nine matches, we never won by two goals difference. The last time we won by more than one goal was Swansea in January (winning 5-0).

"I don't forget that we were always top of the league but we went to eight points difference, and then down to zero.

"And then, because we scored a late goal against Tottenham (in defeat), we kept the leadership by one goal, level points from Man City."

Meanwhile, Mourinho has joked the fair play match delegates which have ruled his players are the worst behaved in the Premier League are too busy eating to watch the match and that next season's Stamford Bridge catering will be downgraded to "bread and water".

The Premier League leaders, who play Manchester United on Saturday, have been criticised for hounding match officials this season and official figures report the Blues to be serial offenders.

"It depends on the food and the drinks," Mourinho said.

"We have to change the catering because many, many times I think they don't see the games. Really.

"We have the best catering and the best drink. I think they stay eating and drinking."