Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho was impressed with his side’s performance against Crystal Palace and he felt that the Blues “imposed our game” on the opposition. It was a strange game with the two red cards and late goal from Frazier Campbell but overall it was a dominant performance by Chelsea FC.
This dominance was felt especially in midfield with the Chelsea FC trio of Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas, and Oscar taking control of the center of the park. According to Mourinho, it was easier for Chelsea FC to control the game because it was 10 against 10 and the midfield and match was more wide open. With so much space it was the class in Chelsea FC’s midfield that really shone through.
Jose Mourinho on his midfield controlling the match:
"“The way we imposed our game pleases me most. I said yesterday they are better than us in the way they play their game. If you come here and don’t impose your game you have no chance. The only chance is to impose your game and from minute one to minute 94 we imposed our game: we had the ball, we were in control, we were very far from our box, we moved the ball very well and we played between the lines.”“I think we played very well, really. 10 against 10 is easier than 11 against 11. It’s not the same. At half-time we spoke about the differences. My players’ interpretation of 10 against 10 was magnificent. The way Matic, Fabregas and Oscar moved to benefit from it was fantastic.”“The only thing we didn’t do well was not to score the third goal and kill the game, and to give Palace a chance.”Source: ChelseaFC.com"
There is a tremendous wealth of talent in the Chelsea FC midfield and it was on full display on Saturday against Crystal Palace. The Blues never looked in real danger of losing the match once they settled in and that has been the pattern for much of the season. Very few teams can match Chelsea’s talent in midfield and fewer can even come close.