Jose Mourinho plays down Manchester City match-up after seeing off Stoke City in FA Cup
Jose Mourinho got something of a bittersweet birthday present when his Chelsea side beat Stoke City 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round at Stamford Bridge on Sunday – and were then drawn to play at Manchester City.
Chelsea, who have won the FA Cup four times in the last seven seasons, were made to sweat on their place in the last 16 and should have won by a bigger margin after spurning a host of chances. Oscar and Andre Schurrle both hit the post.
But shortly after completing a deserved win, Mourinho’s side were handed the task of beating quadruple-chasing City, who have scored 110 goals this season and won all 11 home league matches.
Asked for his reaction to the draw, Mourinho, who was celebrating his 51st birthday, told ITV Sport: “No problem. If you want to be the best then you have to play the best, so it’s good for us.
“One team is the end product. One team needs to improve and has a long way to go.”
Chelsea, who lost 3-2 at Stoke last month, were far too strong for the visitors and deservedly went ahead after 28 minutes with Oscar’s stunning free kick which flew over the wall and high and wide of diving Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic.
If you want to be the best then you have to play the best
An outstanding creative performance from Eden Hazard in the Chelsea midfield and Oscar’s goal seemed to justify Mourinho’s decision to allow Juan Mata to leave for Manchester United.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes, a former Chelsea striker, said there were “more positives than negatives” from his side’s performance.
“Obviously it was a fantastic strike, but I didn’t feel it was a free kick,” he added.
“We couldn’t quite create enough clear openings. It was difficult for us but I’m pleased with what we did. We stuck at it and didn’t go under. I’d suggest there were more positives than negatives.”
In the day’s early match, 10-man Sheffield United put their League One relegation worries aside and gave a battling performance to draw 1-1 with Premier League strugglers Fulham at Bramall Lane.
