According to ESPN, Jose Mourinho has raised questions over the atmosphere during Chelsea’s home games at Stamford Bridge, with the Portuguese boss not being the first to question his own home ground after Andre Villas-Boas criticizing the atmosphere at White Hart Lane.
Chelsea have been struggling to get results to go their way this season at points and Mourinho’s men have had a very rough week in the league, but had the consolation of a UEFA Champions League win in midweek against German opposition Schalke 04.The Blues traveled to the North-East of England last week where they faced a Newcastle United side who were struggling for form ever since a derby day defeat at the hands of Sunderland. Mourinho went into the game with a strange statistic of having never won at St. James Park, and the streak was not about to end, as Newcastle went on to secure a 2-0 home win to put Chelsea under pressure. If the win against Schalke helped improve the situation, it worsened at the weekend as they welcomed West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge. Steve Clarke’s men were resilient, and even though they were down 1-0, fought their way back into the game, and scored two goals to get the lead, to the dismay of the agitated Stamford Bridge faithful. The Blues were awarded a fortunate penalty in the dying seconds of the game, and Eden Hazard dispatched the spot kick with ease. The critics would argue that Chelsea did not deserve the point, and Mourinho will be aware of his side’s weaknesses as they enter into the international break.
However, when it looked like the lost two points could prove costly for Chelsea in the context of the title race, Manchester United managed to defeat Arsenal at Old Trafford, proving the lone point to be valuable for Chelsea as they gain the same over their title rivals.
Mourinho said, “This is Stamford Bridge’s nature. We know that our fans are in love with the club, more than in any other club or the same, but it is a different profile.”
“We know Stamford Bridge is not a very hot atmosphere, not a very strong atmosphere normally, and we accept that.”