All week, the distraction of a public argument between Mourinho and his medical team dominated the national headlines as Carneiro and Fearn treated the injured Eden Hazard, against the apparent wishes of the Chelsea boss during a game against Swansea. Accusing his staff of being naïve did not help matters as the Belgian was temporarily required to leave the field with Chelsea having previously been reduced to 10 players following the dismissal of ‘keeper Thibaut Courtios. Both Carneiro and Fearn were removed from dugout duties for the next game.
That week of adverse publicity had clearly affected the Chelsea camp as Manchester City dominated possession at the Etihad Stadium especially during the opening period. It was a surprise when a solitary Sergio Aguero goal divided the teams at the interval such was the superiority of the home team. The Blue showed more purpose after the interval but goals from a revitalised Vincent Kompany and then Fernandinho completed the victory for City and there was even a situation where both Diego Costa and Chris Cahill of Chelsea needed medical attention on the pitch at the same time, much to the amusement of home fans, with both Carneiro and Fearn absent.
While Mourinho now reflects on a week in his judgement has been questioned but no direct apology issued, Manchester City now lead the Premier League having earned two impressive 3-0 victories but with a difficult match awaiting at the weekend as they visit an Everton team fresh from securing a 3-0 victory at Southampton at the weekend. Meanwhile Chelsea must travel to the Hawthorns to face West Brom and they will be aware that they lost 3-0 on their previous appearance at the venue during May.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Leicester maintained their 100% start with a 2-1 win at West Ham but Liverpool and Manchester United have opened their campaigns rather quietly but still claimed maximum points. Both teams have secured 1-0 wins from their first two league games while playing without any real dominance and although a real test for Liverpool awaits at Arsenal next Monday evening, Manchester United next host a Premier League game against a Newcastle team hoping to avoid losing their eighth successive away game in the top flight.
Yet, it is still early days in the Premier League campaign and much more drama is awaited, but Chelsea cannot afford another week as per the one just past should they wish to retain their title by May