Jose Mourinho wants to kill all talk of horses in the Premier League title race – but has likened Manchester City to a 'Jaguar' wearing 'L-plates'.
The Blues cruised to the top of the Premier League thanks to Eden Hazard’s hat-trick during Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Newcastle.
Meanwhile, City – who were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea on Monday – toiled to a goalless draw at top-flight strugglers Norwich City.
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Star player: Eden Hazard scored a hat-trick to give Chelsea a 3-0 win against Newcastle United
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Little horse? Chelsea players celebrate Hazard's third goal which came from the penalty spot
Mourinho had said following Monday’s victory that his side were the ‘small horse’ in the race for the league crown.
But after Arsenal were thumped 5-1 by Liverpool and City lost ground in East Anglia, the Portuguese instead switched analogy to motoring.
And in what could be interpreted as a swipe at Citizens boss Manuel Pellegrini, Mourinho said: ‘A Jaguar, you wouldn’t put an L on it’.
He went on: ‘It’s time to kill (talk of) the horse.
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Analogy: Jose Mourinho compared the Manchester City team to a 'Jaguar' wearing 'L-plates'
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Stalemate: Jesus Navas and his City team were held to a 0-0 by Norwich at Carrow Road
‘We are playing well. Players individually are in a good moment, we are getting results and we are top of the league.
‘That is something that we can’t hide.’
And, of match-winner Hazard, Mourinho said: ‘His performance was no different (to how he has been playing), the only difference was he scored a hat-trick for the first time.
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Talent: Mourinho believes Hazard's (centre) evolution as a player has been 'fantastic'
‘He’s had a big evolution, he’s got consistency, he’s got ambition – it’s fantastic.’
Meanwhile, Alan Pardew believes this current Chelsea vintage is the best he has ever faced under Mourinho.
The 52-year-old has taken on his friend as boss of West Ham, Charlton Athletic and now Newcastle.
And Pardew said: ‘This is as good as he’s had. They’ve got a real chance (of winning the league).’
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Impressed: Alan Pardew believes Chelsea have a 'real chance' of winning the Premier League
Blues fans will be pleased to learn that John Terry should be fit for Chelsea’s trip to West Brom on Tuesday after Mourinho decided not to risk his captain against Newcastle.
The defender had not missed a minute for the Blues in the Premier League until Saturday’s 3-0 victory.
However, Mourinho explained: ‘It’s not an injury, it’s almost an injury.
‘We were aware that Newcastle had bigger problems than us so we decided not to risk him and to protect him. Normally, he’ll be ready for Tuesday.
‘It’s a little inflammation between two muscles.’
Meanwhile, Mourinho confirmed that striker Fernando Torres also has a chance of making Tuesday’s game.
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Rest: John Terry (centre) missed Chelsea's win against Newcastle with an inflammation between two muscles
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Back again: Fernando Torres could return from injury for Chelsea's game against West Brom
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