Fatal forty-one

Chelsea lost for the second time in a week

Something detailed was probably to be expected. It is impossible to imagine that one team did not lose more than 40 matches in a row in its national championship, or, in other words, almost one and a half championships. Especially if this is the English Championship. Chelsea is no exception. As it turned out, Chelsea is also an integral part of the rule. However, having lost to Manchester United (0:1) in the match of the 12th round of the English Premier League and interrupting their miracle streak in the 41st match, Jose Mourinho’s team did not return the intrigue to the Premier League - the gap was too large “ blue" from their pursuers.

Another thing is surprising. For the "aristocrats", the defeat from Manchester United was the second in a week - last Tuesday, Chelsea lost to Betis in the Champions League. And even though Jose Mourinho’s team looked much better this time than in Seville, for the Portuguese coach, two losses in a row is still a blow to his pride.

A few days ago, after the first defeat, Mourinho publicly criticized his team, promising the players an unpleasant conversation. This time the Portuguese no longer blamed his players. “We are upset by the defeat, but it is one thing to lose because of a bad game, but another thing to play good football. The difference between us and Manchester United in this match, to be honest, is just luck,” said Mourinho after the match in Manchester. And most likely he was right.

You should have seen the only goal that the Mancunians managed to score: a high pass to the end line, from where Fletcher either threw the ball away or hit the goal. But you must admit, hitting the target from almost zero angle, with a parachute strike, delivering it with your head, this requires not only skill - you can’t do it without luck. Here is the only goal that became the winner. “Chelsea” was in its repertoire. A weak first half, followed by attempts to save the match in the second. But the seemingly proven recipe did not work for the second time in a row. And many of the chances created remained unrealized.

The last two defeats for Chelsea are not at all fatal. Rather, it looks like just a good shake-up that should bring the Blues to their senses. It's a different matter for Manchester United. For him, this victory means more than three points. The once formidable team can now lose to any opponent, and with a big score. And the relationship between the players, apparently, is far from ideal. Just look at the story of Manchester United captain Roy Keane’s interview with club television, which team coach Alex Ferguson took off the air with his decision. But Keane still repeated everything he said to the reporters. “Everything needs to change in the team,” Keane said. - Instead of buying more new players, we must first get rid of these ones. Some people earn tens of thousands of pounds a week, play at a good level for 20 minutes against Tottenham and consider themselves a star... And so on in the same spirit.

It seems that Keane's words finally shook up the team. In any case, Manchester United fought until the final whistle in the match with Chelsea, earning Ferguson’s praise. But what Sir Alex was most pleased with was the support his team received from the fans. "They showed how important the club is to them," said Ferguson, now in his 19th season as head coach. - The support was simply great. We already heard this last year in the match with Arsenal and a couple of years ago in the Champions League with Juventus - it was simply incredible. If fans were always like this, we simply wouldn’t have the right to upset them.” But, apparently, Manchester United fans do not love their club so passionately every day - otherwise Chelsea would not have had a 10-point lead.

Results of the 12th round matches. Everton - Middlesbrough - 1:0, Manchester United - Chelsea - 1:0, Arsenal - Sunderland - 3:1, Blackburn - Charlton "- 4:1, Fulham - Manchester City - 2:1, Newcastle - Birmingham - 1:0, West Ham - West Bromwich - 1: 0, Aston Villa - Liverpool - 0:2.

English Championship I V N P M O

1. Chelsea	12	10	1	1	28--7	31
2. Wigan	11	8	1	2	13--5	25
3. Manchester United	11	6	3	2	16--11	21
4. Arsenal	11	6	2	3	16--8	20
5. Tottenham	11	5	5	1	13--7	20
6. Manchester City	12	6	2	4	15--11	20
7. Bolton	11	6	2	3	13--11	20
8. Charlton	11	6	1	4	16--14	19
9. West Ham	11	5	3	3	15--10	18
10. Newcastle	12	5	3	4	12--10	18
11. Blackburn	12	5	2	5	15--15	17
12. Liverpool	10	4	4	2	9--8	16
13. Middlesbrough	12	4	3	5	15--16	15
14. Fulham	12	3	3	6	12--16	12
15. Portsmouth	12	2	4	6	11--15	10
16. Everton	11	3	1	7	4--12	10
17. Aston Villa	12	2	3	7	10--21	9
18. West Bromwich	12	2	2	8	9--22	8
19. Birmingham	12	1	3	8	7--17	6
20. Sunderland	12	1	2	9	11--24	5

Andrey VDOVIN