Mourinho hails Herrera and Darmian after sinking Chelsea

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Premier League leaders Chelsea suffered their most convincing defeat of the season against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and former Tottenham player Jermaine Jenas believes their failure to adapt to Jose Mourinho's tactics was the root cause.

The Premier League leaders failed to register a shot on target in a Premier League match for the first time since December 2015, and the result means their lead over Tottenham Hotspur is just four points with six games remaining.

"I think the defeat is down to a combination of things".

"They've lost Alonso, are they that finely-tuned that they lose a left-back, he's a decent left back but he's not Roberto Carlos!"

"We knew that playing this way would be very hard for them".

Chelsea were frustrated at the other end and did not manage a shot in anger until Diego Costa, who was booked for fouling Pogba before scuffling with Marcos Rojo, finally hit one wide in stoppage time.

The 42-year-old went on to say Chelsea may have to dip into the transfer market in the summer to find a replacement for the Spanish 26-year-old.

"I am really happy for us because we kept two windows open to try to play Champions League football".

The team requires me to bat at No.3: Kolkata's Uthappa
From time to time , the likes of Manish Pandey and Robin Uthappa have emerged as the knights in shining armour to save the side. On Saturday, the KKR defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 17 runs while the Daredevils defeated Kings XI Punjab by whooping 51 runs.

"That game was totally controlled when we played with 11 players and only the [refereeing] decision that made us play with 10 players for all the second half, plus 10 minutes in the first half, gave Chelsea a chance to be dominant. United were more aggressive, they won second balls and probably wanted it more", Begovic told BBC Sport.

The strikes by Rashford and Herrera at the start of each half were enough for United who, despite resting several players against Chelsea ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final return leg at home to Anderlecht, were good value for their win.

"I underplayed it a little bit in the pre-match interview".

"Normally you win the title if you are 22 matches unbeatable and we are struggling to finish top four".

"We didn't play a good game and United deserved to win the game", said Conte. "When they tried to play counter-attack we were always in control of these two link positions", he added.

Conte's mood was not helped by the fact Thibaut Courtois missed the game after being injured - apparently playing basketball in a promotional event for the NBA - and the Chelsea manager must now lift his team for their FA Cup semi-final against Spurs on Saturday.

Herrera nullified Eden Hazard in a man-marking role, whilst the surprise selections of Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini and Rashford all excelled.

The lively Rashford was denied by a smart Begovic save at his near post after impressively outmuscling David Luiz, with a third United goal looking more likely than a comeback from the visitors.

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