Football news - Jose Mourinho exuded more class than Chelsea despite late sickener
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Updated 20/10/2018 at 20:50 GMT
Jose Mourinho and Manchester United deserved more from Stamford Bridge than a 2-2 draw - and the former Chelsea coach's conduct was also impressive, writes Desmond Kane.
Jose Mourinho on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London.
Image credit: Eurosport
It all ended a bit barmy in the balmy London sunshine, but what did you expect, sunshine?
Jose Mourinho’s latest return to Stamford Bridge was unlikely to ever pass off quietly, but we did not expect it to end with him leaping off his perch in the visiting technical area to hunt down a Chelsea staff member like he suddenly had an Eva Carneiro flashback.
There are plenty of times in the past when Mourinho has been the instigator but, in the same part of the ground he once decried the good doctor three years ago, he was completely the wronged party when Chelsea celebrated their equaliser in the death throes of added time.
Attempting to defend Marco Ianni’s actions is a tougher sell than Saudia Arabia suggesting their day-trip to Istanbul was all about the flea markets.
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Jose Mourinho shows the Chelsea crowd three fingers
Image credit: Getty Images
It was absurd behaviour. Not only did the Chelsea assistant coach run towards Mourinho once, but this ridiculous figure again bounced in front of him just in case he missed him the first time.
It is the sort of behaviour that is more befitting a King’s Road pub at closing time. To his credit, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri did not attempt to distance himself from the impoverished nature of the chaotic happenings.
Mourinho’s reaction was natural. Nobody needs that level of taunting when you have conceded what was a sickening goal to lose at any time in the game, not merely in the final minute of added time.
He had rightly attempted to confront Ianni, and was within his rights to remind the Chelsea fans that he brought them three titles when he was hounded by shouts of “f*** off Mourinho”.
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Jose Mourinho is restrained by stewards after reacting to Chelsea's second goal.
Image credit: Eurosport
Football fans have the memory of goldfish. Mourinho refrained from further comment when he said he had accepted the apology of Ianni, and that it was time to move on.
"Maurizio saw and told that he would take care of it internally and to accept his apologies, which I did," said Mourinho. "But then the young fellow come and he also apologise, and I told him I accept, I did mistakes, especially when I was your age, and try to improve."
It was a classy way to handle a nauseating end to the match for him and his team.
United deserved three points from this match. They carried more menace in the second half, but their inability to deal with the first ball, second ball or even third ball was grotesque when it mattered most.
David Luiz headed against a post, David de Gea saved the rebound from Antonio Rudiger before Ross Barkley finally rammed home with a red shirt nowhere to be seen. United's lack of awareness denied them what would have been a well worked victory.
The tireless Anthony Martial had plunged two exquisite finishes into the home net as United moved ahead of an unbeaten side, who had looked dominant when Rudiger evaded Paul Pogba to head the opening goal on 21 minutes.
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A member of the backroom staff at Chelsea celebrates his sides second goal infront of Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester Unied during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 20, 2018 in London.
Image credit: Eurosport
The equaliser was more of a calamity for United than Ianni’s celebrations.
United are eighth in the standings, nine points behind leaders Manchester City and not quite a picture of health, but there appears to be signs the fever is passing.
A 3-2 win from 2-0 behind against Newcastle a fortnight ago and a 2-2 draw at Chelsea after trailing 1-0 is a decent return.
But there was a surefootedness about their performance that provides a greater platform for optimism. With Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford also willing to add graft to their guile, Mourinho has certainly not lost the dressing room, as some had feared. In fact, he has gained three potential renegades when you added Martial to the mix.
On a sun-kissed October afternoon, there are signs Mourinho has steadied the ship while navigating around a gathering storm that was potentially more fatal than the Bay of Biscay.
Desmond Kane
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