Jose Mourinho: Newcastle raise a level for Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has claimed Newcastle United raise their game specifically for contests against Chelsea and, as with other Premier League sides, treat other opponents “like they’re playing friendlies” as the Portuguese prepares for an awkward occasion at St James’ Park.

The league leaders travel to the north-east for today’s lunchtime kick-off unbeaten this season and hoping to set a club record by extending their undefeated run to 24 games, though Mourinho is braced for a stern test. He has never won a league game on Tyneside – his only two victories in seven visits were reserved for the League Cup – and will be without the previously ever-present Nemanja Matic, who is suspended for one game.

Other teams

“There are a few stadiums in this country where clearly, when they see the Chelsea shirts, they play the game of their lives,” said Mourinho.

“When they play against other teams they look like they’re playing friendlies. Maybe this is because Chelsea, in the last decade, became a strong team that everybody wants to beat.”

Newcastle have not won a league game against the current top seven so far this season but did beat Liverpool at home and triumphed at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, in the League Cup.

Asked whether that merely suggested Alan Pardew’s team were guilty of nothing more than inconsistency, Mourinho said: “Not against us. It’s a compliment. It makes us feel how big we are. It’s a normal challenge: a difficult opponent and stadium, and one of the teams we really feel [consider] Chelsea to be special for them because they don’t play every game the same way.

“It’s not only them. There are other clubs who have different ways of playing. That is something that, with Chelsea, I try not to do. With my players, I try to make them have always the same focus, ambition and commitment whoever they play against. But clearly there are some opponents in the Premier League for whom Chelsea are special, so we know this is going to be a tough match.”

Decisive goals

Chelsea were defeated 2-0 in the league at St James’ Park last season due to goals from Yoan Gouffran and Loic Remy – now a Chelsea player .

Diego Costa will return to the visitors’ starting line-up after serving a suspension in midweek, with Mourinho to choose between Mikel John Obi and Ramires to replace Matic. Both midfielders have been on the fringe to date this term, though Chelsea will resist any attempts by suitors to prise them away next month.

“It’s a big club. People there live for football, for the club, for the moment. They have a match at home, big passion, big club . . and I like to play there. I like very much to play there.” Guardian Service