Chelsea 3 Man United 1: A big and deserved win, declares Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho reflected on a “big and deserved” victory after watching Samuel Eto’o fire Chelsea to victory over Manchester United.

Eto’o opened the scoring with a looping shot that deflected off Michael Carrick and past David De Gea in the 17th minute, before sweeping home Gary Cahill’s cross just before half-time.

Samuel Eto’s second goal was the killer in the box I know from many years ago

Jose Mourinho

And the Cameroon international made it 3-0 just after the break, before substitute Javier Hernandez slid in a consolation for the visitors.

United’s miserable day then got worse when captain Nemanja Vidic was shown a straight red card for a lunge on Eden Hazard.

“I think it is a big win and deserved, yes,” said Mourinho, whose side are third in the table and two points behind Arsenal.

“The way I was analysing the game it was hard for them to be losing 2-0 at half time. They started better than us, they had a good initiative.

“The second half was different. For 25-30 minutes we had very good control until we dropped back and they reacted with pride.

“I think this game was a bit of a contradiction to other games. Normally we produce and produce and then it is hard for us to score, this time with the first shot we scored.

“The second goal was the killer in the box I know from many years ago and it looks like Samuel Eto’o is coming back.”

The defeat leaves Manchester United a staggering 14 points behind leaders Arsenal with 16 games left to play.

And Mourinho admits that the Red Devils’ faint hopes of retaining their title are now over.

“It is hard, they are 14 points behind Arsenal, 13 behind Manchester City and 12 from us,” he said.

“Maybe one team collapses but for three to collapse is difficult, so for them I think it is the fight to finish in the top four.

“They will do that with their pride and tradition and fight and hopefully they win against the other contenders because now we do not play against them in the league.”