The Blues were certainly not at their best against QPR yesterday, despite edging past their London rivals in a 2-1 victory.
It was looking like normal business for the home side after Oscar found the back of the net from a tight angle with a sublime finish, which left QPR keeper Robert Green with no chance of denying a goal for the Brazilian. But the Blues’ arch rivals equalized through a smart goal by Charlie Austin, which increased the Englishman’s goal tally of the campaign to five.
However, Chelsea’s quality was never in doubt when Eden Hazard was brought down in the penalty area by Eduardo Vargas, Hazard making the most of the oppurtunity from the spot-kick scoring his second penalty of the season and handing his team a 2-1 lead which secured all three points in the process.
But Jose Mourinho was not impressed by his side’s under par performance, and was ready to admit to his disappointment in his post-match press conference which he also decided to use as an oppurtunity to criticize the atmosphere created by the home fans.
‘Everyone knows how much I feel connected to this club and the fans,’ he told Talksport.
‘At this moment it’s difficult for us to play at home though, because playing here is like playing in an empty stadium.
‘The team then starts playing like it’s a quiet, soft game at home. It’s difficult to get that strong start where the players, team and fans at Stamford Bridge [are all together].
‘I was today looking around and it was empty, but not in terms of people because it was obviously full. That’s what frustrating.’
Chelsea now sit nine points ahead of title rivals Manchester City, who face Manchester United at the Etihad today.
By Ollie Carroll
Twitter: @Ollie_Carroll_
