Jose Mourinho rules out top-four challenge

Jose Mourinho has quashed hope that his Chelsea side could propel themselves into the top four in the second half of the season.

The Portuguese manager saw his side suffer their ninth league defeat of the campaign at Leicester City on Monday night to leave them just one point above the dropzone, 14 points off the Champions League places and 20 points adrift of the leading Foxes.

Asked by Sky Sports News after the match if fourth place was now out of his reach, Mourinho replied simply: “Yes. Clearly yes.”

Mourinho was also critical of some of his players, saying that he felt “betrayed” by their actions on the pitch.