Jose Mourinho downplayed the importance of the eight-point gap that Premier League leaders Manchester City hold over his side after a 1-0 loss at Chelsea on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho was sacked as manager of Premier League champions Chelsea on Thursday, according to BBC sources, following a dreadful run of results.
Photos from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday
La Liga leaders Barcelona beat Real Madrid 1-0 to all but knock their rivals out of the title race on Saturday, while second-placed Atletico Madrid stayed seven points behind the Catalans with a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has denied suggestions of a rift with manager Jose Mourinho, accusing "certain individuals from outside" of trying to destabilise the club and refuting reports that he is leading an alleged dressing-room revolt.
The racist chants took the shine off a great day for Chelsea who have tightened their grip on fourth place.
The Premier League champions have endured a dismal season so far, losing eight of the 16 games they have played in all competitions, and were knocked out of the League Cup, that they also won last season, in a penalty shootout against Stoke City on Tuesday night.
Arsenal are still in contention for the English Premier League title and it is too soon to say that leaders Chelsea can go through the season undefeated, manager Arsene Wenger said.
News of all that transpired on and off the field.
Catalans will have to cope without their inspirational captain Andres Iniesta, the man who has pedigree when it comes to beating the Blues.
Inspirational manager Juergen Klopp has rekindled the Anfield flame though and delivered the club's 19th top-flight title, one behind arch-rivals United's record of 20, after finishing runners-up to City in a thrilling race last season.
Conte wants 'perfect game', while hoping Messi's goal drought continues
IMAGES from Champions League matches played on Tuesday.
Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard is convinced he has not lost his magic touch that was on full display last season and is taking confidence from his goal against Arsenal as he seeks to rediscover the same form this campaign.
Manchester City shook off the impact of a COVID outbreak in their ranks to outclass Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge
Willian and Lionel Messi scored as Chelsea and Barcelona finished 1-1 after an absorbing first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday, while Bayern Munich, helped by two typical Thomas Mueller goals and two from Robert Lewandowski, romped to a 5-0 home win over Besiktas.
Images from Sunday's English Premier League matches.
Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea on Monday, with the smiling 'Special One' saying he was now the 'Happy One' on his second coming as manager of the Premier League club he has always loved.
Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was offered a whopping $1 million by Atletico de Kolkata's co-owners to become the marquee player of the Indian Super League side though the high-profile player is yet to respond, according to a report in London.
Jubilant with his side's maiden Premier League title, LeicesterCity manager Claudio Ranieri has heaped praised on his players' determination and focus that led his side to the recent glory.
ManchesterCity manager Manuel Pellegrini walked straight down the players' tunnel without shaking hands with counterpart Jose Mourinho after Chelsea snatched a 90th-minute winner on Sunday.
Despite a splurge of summer spending of more than 500 million pounds and counting, it was a free transfer from France who provided one of the standout moments of the Premier League's big kickoff.
'Last season it was the same -- we won here and it was the referee. Today as well'
Champions Manchester City have won their last 10 home league matches scoring a total of 36 goals.
'I'm very excited to be here. I'm very happy'
Chelsea captain John Terry is showing all the qualities of a future manager, the club's interim boss Guus Hiddink said on Friday. Terry, 35, is keen to continue his playing career at Stamford Bridge but has not yet been offered a new contract for next season. Hiddink said decision was not down to him, but in the longer term he could see the former England central defender as a manager. "In some players you see while they are playing there might be managers inside them already," the Dutchman told a news conference. "You see that most of the time in midfield positions or centre-backs. These guys are already leaders. "In my career I've had some examples like (Southampton's) Ronald Koeman in my first spell at Eindhoven, who you could see was tactically very strong and a leader. "And (Watford's) Quique Sanchez Flores at Valencia too." Terry would need "extra courses" and would be well advised to start as an assistant, Hiddink added.
Chelsea surged to the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 home win over Stoke City thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah, Frank Lampard and Willian at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Chelsea ripped apart Premier League title rivals Arsenal in a 6-0 mauling at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to ensure Arsene Wenger's 1,000th game turned sour and Liverpool and Manchester City kept up the pressure with big wins.
Former Manchester United full-backs Gary and Phil Neville slammed the club's "garbage" defending after Sunday's crushing 4-0 defeat to Chelsea in the English Premier League.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has reminded Eden Hazard of his priorities, asking the midfielder to focus on improving his form.
Chelsea's slim hopes of winning the Premier League all but evaporated in the Stamford Bridge sunshine on Sunday as Norwich City ground out a 0-0 draw that left them hanging on to top- flight status by their fingernails.
Belgium's soccer team received a hero's welcome in Brussels on Sunday, after achieving their best-ever World Cup result in Russia.
Wayne Rooney may not start Manchester United's Europa League match against Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk for his own protection as he is struggling with a back injury, manager Jose Mourinho said on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho got the perfect birthday present when his Chelsea side beat Stoke City 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Brazilian midfielder Oscar scoring the goal from a stunning free kick.
Champions Chelsea are involved in the relegation battle this season, manager Guus Hiddink said on Friday ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Everton.
Sunderland and England midfielder Adam Johnson was arrested on Monday on suspicion of having sex with an under-age girl.
Ibrahimovic has not played since suffering a career-threatening knee ligament injury in United's Europa League quarter-final second leg match against Anderlecht at Old Trafford in April.
Chelsea demolished the team that succeeded them as Premier League winners when champions Leicester City succumbed tamely 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
"I think he plays on Wednesday because on Saturday it was a decision to protect him," manager Jose Mourinho told the club website (www.chelseafc.com).
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