*Jose Mourinho says his team tried ‘everything’ against a resolute Arsenal side at Wembley, in this post match perspective on Chelsea website
It was a game of few chances with the one taken by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of the very highest quality. Eden Hazard fired our best opportunity over the bar after Cesc Fabregas had brilliantly played him in midway through the second half.
In the end we couldn’t find a way past a resolute Arsenal rearguard and that was the key factor Mourinho identified after the match….
‘For me it depends on the perspective,’ our manager said. ‘Normally you [the media] like to say a team that is defensive and defends very well doesn’t deserve to win.
‘But I also have my opinion, different from your opinion. My opinion is the team that defends very well, that leaves their philosophy in the dressing room, changes their attitude, plays all the second half with nine players in front of the box, doesn’t concede and scores one goal, from that perspective they deserve to win.
‘This is football. This is very good tactical organisation. Congratulations to them.’
Mourinho acknowledged his team are still working towards peak condition, not helped by conditions inside Wembley Stadium
‘I expected the lack of sharpness, it’s normal. Some players like Falcao started a week ago. The others have had two weeks and half of this week. The pitch was a disaster, so slow, the weather didn’t help too but it was the same for both teams so no excuses. I know Arsenal also like a good, fast pitch.
‘One team played counter-attack football well. One team played with initiative well but without the sharpness you need to be more aggressive with the ball. The team tactically tried everything.’
It was the first time Mourinho has lost to Arsene Wenger in a competitive match having gone 13 unbeaten previously.
‘I never had a psychological edge. It’s not normal what happened before, and because it’s not normal I never paid attention to that. I always thought one game is one game and has no relation with other games. Thirteen matches is an eternity. It has never been a question of beating someone and losing to another one.’
*Culled from www.chelseafc.com