Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho laughed off claims his Chelsea side were negative and instead mocked Arsenal for failing to win the league for a decade, after a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Emirates that edged the Blues closer to the Premier League title.
Gooners greeted the final whistle of Sunday's goalless clash at the Emirates with chants of "boring, boring Chelsea" after witnessing their side's inability to break down an outstanding Blues' defence.
The result leaves Arsenal third, ten points shy of Chelsea, who will lift the title on Sunday at Stamford Bridge if they can beat Leicester on Wednesday and then overcome Crystal Palace at the weekend.
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"You know, 'boring' I think is ten years without a title. That's very boring," said Mourinho after the match, a cutting retort to Arsenal fans whose last title triumph was in 2003-04. "You support a club and you're waiting, waiting, waiting for so many years without a Premier League title, so that's very boring."
The Chelsea manager also pointed out his 'boring' team are the second highest scorers in the Premier League, and the team with the best goal difference.
His point is undeniable. Only Manchester City have scored more goals than Chelsea in this season's campaign but it was the Blues' defence that earned them a point at the Emirates on Sunday. Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry were organised, tireless and defiant against Arsenal, earning high praise from Mourinho. "I told John Terry in the dressing room he had [put in some] fantastic performances for me, but this was his best," the Chelsea manager said later. "It was the best JT has ever played. It was absolutely amazing... reading the game, giving cover, leading the defensive line, making interceptions, even in the pass. The team was phenomenal, but John was one step ahead of every other player."
Despite Mourinho's decision to play without a recognised striker after injuries to Diego Costa and Loic Remy, Chelsea still threatened the goal in the first-half, Oscar failed to win a penalty when he was flattened by keeper David Ospina, and then saw his delicate chip headed off the line by Hector Bellerin. Former Gunner Cesc Fabregas, booed by the Arsenal fans, was also booked for a dive in the area after going down under a challenge from Santi Cazorla.
Referee Michael Oliver may have angered Chelsea with those decision, however, the official also waved away Arsenal claims for a penalty after Cazorla's shot was blocked by the arm of Gary Cahill in the first period.
The second half was all Arsenal but Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and substitute Danny Welbeck wasted Arsenal's best opportunities to score as Arsene Wenger's winless streak against Mourinho was extended to 13 matches. "They came to defend well, and they did that well, and everybody knows that," said Wenger.
Mourinho will be delighted to hear his rival's weary lament. Asked how history would judge this current Chelsea side when they secure the title, he replied: "First of all, we need to be champions. If we do that, and I think we are going to do that, we will be champions having been top of the league since day one. And being top of the league since day one, well, only top teams can do that. The team is very confident and playing extremely well so we know it is in our hands."
