• Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City, Premier League

We beat the best in the Premier League - Mourinho

ESPN staff
October 27, 2013
Something in the air?

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes his side beat "the best team in the Premier League" when they overcame Manchester City on Sunday.

Fernando Torres capitalised on an injury-time defensive mix-up between Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic to secure a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

And Mourinho admitted his players had been left thankful for their slice of luck.

"The first half was our half. We were better, much better," Mourinho, who celebrated the Chelsea winner in the crowd behind the City dug-out, where his son was sat, said. "It is difficult to be much better than a fantastic team. We should have scored more goals.

"The second half, they start very strong. They score a great goal and after that the game was open. It was for both sides. In that period you have the little bit of luck you need to win these matches.

"We had this lucky situation, although you could say a belief situation because Fernando had the belief [to chase a lost cause]. We won a game that is very important for us. I think we beat the best team in the Premier League."

Mourinho also praised Torres' performance, claiming the striker had shown his character after spurning an early chance where he blazed over from 10 yards.

"Everything that happened [with Torres] came after he missed the easy chance," Mourinho added. "It was amazing. When you are a player and you make a mistake you are finished for the game.

"After that you saw the best Fernando. His winning the first goal and working unbelievably for the team."

A rejuvenated Torres set up Andre Schurrle's opener but Sergio Aguero cancelled that out with a stunning strike shortly after.

But the game was settled by City's defensive calamity, from what was little more than a hopeful punt forward.

"When you win a game like this against a great team like Manchester City in the last minutes of the game it feels much better,'' Torres said.

"I think 1-1 was not right for the game. I think we controlled most of the game and we had more chances in the first half. At end we won a game we decided to win. We are happy because it is our first win against a contender for the Premier League.''

"You never know which ball can be the most important in the game,'' Torres said. "A long ball just looking not too complicated, but not the best understanding between the defender and the keeper -you win the game in that action.

"I was unlucky to miss the chance that I missed in the first half. I thought I was offside -- I should have stayed more calm. I missed the chance but then in the next action I got the assist for Andre and then I hit the post.

"I'm really happy for the team and my performance. The team is showing it is improving and that is very positive." Meanwhile, City boss Manuel Pellegrini refused to lay any blame for the late goal.

"I don't think this is the moment to say who is to take blame,'' he said. "They scored the goal and we will analyse it in the week.''

Asked how heartbreaking defeat was, he added: "I don't know if it is the worst, but one of worst. We had control of the game. I think we played a very good game.

"In the first half maybe Chelsea had one chance and they score. They also shot to hit the crossbar. We had two or three chances to score, but in this game you must score goals and they got two."

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