Manchester United's Jose Mourinho: Defensive Chelsea will probably win title with set pieces and counters

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James Benge11 February 2017

Jose Mourinho has admitted he does not expect Chelsea to let their lead at the top of the table slip.

However the Manchester United manager offered a far from glowing assessment of the champions-elect.

Manchester United beat Watford 2-0 at Old Trafford to close the gap to fourth-placed Manchester City to a single point but they still lie 11 points off Antonio Conte’s league leaders, who will play their game in hand against Burnley on Sunday.

Mourinho guided Chelsea to the title with an at-times obdurate style during the second half of the season, his side scored more than two goals on five occasions in the last 19 league games, and the 54-year-old suggested Conte was winning the title in similar fashion this season.

“Chelsea are very good defensive team,” Mourinho told reporters.

“They defend very well and with lots of players and I think in this situation a very defensive team wins the title with counterattack goals and set pieces goals so I don't think they will let it slip but football is football.”

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