There is rewriting history — and then there’s rewriting history.
If you were a neutral and saw Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City Sunday and then heard Jose Mourinho describe the loss as “fake,” before visiting the English Premier League champions’ website to read their official report, you could be forgiven for thinking you had watched two different games.
Most observers agreed City had thoroughly deserved its win — Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic almost single handedly kept the home side, and Sergio Aguero in particular, at bay in the first half with some outstanding saves.
Given the London club were only able to muster two shots on target during 90 minutes in contrast to City’s 17, Mourinho’s interpretation of the game also raised eyebrows.
“If the 1-0 was a doubtful result at minute 70, 3-0 is completely fake,” said the Chelsea manager.
“At 1-0 Chelsea were the best team for the whole second half. They make a change because they feel 1-0 is in danger and we concede a second goal. If 1-1 [it’s] a different story, their team is in trouble.”
Echoing Mourinho’s version of events, the Chelsea website’s take on the match made for interesting reading.
“A Ramires goal incorrectly ruled out for offside with Man City a goal ahead changed the complexion of this early-season Premier League fixture,” read the report, adding that “an errant offside flag denied us a deserved leveller.”
They also didn’t hold back in assessing the performance of some of City’s players.
“(Vincent) Kompany cynically scythed Diego Costa down to earn the game’s first booking,” said the report, adding that a Fernandinho’s yellow card for a challenge on Diego Costa was “brutish.”
The Chelsea website went on to say that Eliaquim Mangalam “resorted to WWE-style tactics to stop the ever-dangerous Diego Costa getting free down the right.”
Begovic, making his full debut after the red card for first choice Thibaut Courtois against Swansea on the opening day of the season, had made a hat-trick of saves to deny Aguero before the opener just after the half hour by the Argentina striker.
City captain Kompany headed in David Silva’s corner for the second and midfielder Fernandinho rounded off a superb team display with a thumping shot past Begovic, who was blameless for all three goals.
Chelsea captain John Terry was substituted for the first time in over 170 games — glumly sitting out the second half as a result of a tactical change, according to Mourinho — with Kurt Zouma coming on.
“I know that Zouma is the fastest defender we have in the squad and in that moment Man City are going to play counter-attack,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“They are going to play long balls to Aguero and Zouma is a different player than John and it was proven completely right as Zouma was in complete control.
City’s comprehensive win in front of a 54,000 capacity crowd at the Eithad Stadium sent Manuel Pellegrini’s men top of the standings after two matches, having routed West Bromwich Albion 3-0 in the opener last Monday.
