• Premier League

Mourinho's come into his own, says Terry

ESPN staff
February 4, 2014
John Terry says Jose Mourinho prepared him for all that Edin Dzeko and City could throw at him © PA Photos
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Chelsea masseur Billy McCulloch may have given the pre-match team talk before Jose Mourinho's side faced Manchester City but it was the manager's studious approach that enabled them to pull off a key victory.

John Terry and the players probably enjoyed what was described as a Scottish rant in the Etihad Stadium's away dressing room but the defender has revealed the team were already meticulously prepared.

"This is where he comes into his own," Terry told Chelseafc.com. "'We spent a good couple of days working on their strengths and weaknesses. They were long sessions for us but they were very worthwhile. It was a really important win.

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"City have been phenomenal at home, scoring goals and rolling teams over. For us to come here and not only get three points for ourselves but to show other teams they can be beaten is an eye opener for everyone."

With the top-of-the-table game being played on Monday night, Mourinho had two days more than normal to get his team ready.

Preparation is one of the areas Mourinho is known to be expert in, having his management team compile detailed reports on the opposition in dossiers for his players.

With his return to Chelsea being accompanied by some uncharacteristically loose performances, that has not always been obvious this season.

But Terry, who has played every minute of his team's Premier League games this season, claims the manager's special quality shone through in the performance that brought a 1-0 win.

"They were very good in the first 15 minutes and made it difficult for us,' he said. "After that people maybe expected us to sit back and wait for the counter-attack but we didn't.

"We showed a lot of character. We created a lot of chances in the first and second half, and overall we were very solid.

"After the disappointment of dropping two points at home against West Ham we have gone to City and bounced back. We've got a couple of games coming up and it's important we kick on, win those and hope that teams around us drop points.

"City and Arsenal have got some tough games coming up, Liverpool as well, so we must win our next two after dropping two points last week," Terry added as he looked towards games against West Brom and Everton in the Premier League.

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