Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been banned for a game and is serving the penalty this Sunday against Stoke City. Chelsea did not score a single goal in the entire game, while Stoke took the lead in the 53rd minute of the game as Arnautovic scored the only goal of the game in the second half.
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The Blues have struggled badly this season and have already lost six games from their first eleven – more defeats than Mourinho has ever suffered in an entire season previously.
The title holders are languishing in 16th position with just 11 points from their opening 12 games of the campaign, and Lampard knows how important it is for Chelsea to get out of their rut as soon as possible.
The controversy-prone striker’s conduct fell under the spotlight last weekend after he escaped censure for kicking out at Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel during his side’s 3-1 home defeat. “If after 10 minutes we are playing with seven men, it’s something my assistants have not prepared (for)”.
Chelsea’s fans, at least, continue to believe in the club’s most successful manager and showed their support by donning Mourinho masks and chanting his name.
The Blues’ latest defeat has increased speculation that Roman Abramovich will feel no choice but to sack Mourinho now and appoint a manager until the end of the season when the likes of Pep Guardiola may be available.
‘We see match after match that as professionals they are not getting the respect they deserve.
Pedro almost got the equaliser for Chelsea but saw his curling shot rebounded off the post.
“They are still in the Champions League and, even though it was a loss, this was an excellent performance at Stoke and not a display of a team that has lost faith in its manager”.
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“We wanted to get a result for him”. Full-back Baba Rahman was given the runaround by Xherdan Shaqiri, while Diego Costa, who has just two goals this term, seemed more focused on his running battle with Ryan Shawcross than providing a proper goal threat. At least the Brazilian’s alleged stamp on a steward’s foot proved a storm in the teacup, with no complaint being made.
