All too much for Jose

In the mind of Jose Mourinho the best team obviously lost the title race yesterday, just as they lost their Champions League semi-final at Anfield on Tuesday night.

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But rather than recognise United for the fact they have scored 20 more goals than their closest challengers, not to mention won four more matches, Chelsea's manager had praise only for his players. "They got more points than us," was as much as Mourinho could say about Sir Alex Ferguson's worthy winners.

To their credit, Chelsea went down fighting at the Emirates. Reduced to 10 men after Khalid Boulahrouz committed the foul that enabled Gilberto Silva to score from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute, they did remarkably well not only to equalise but go desperately close to scoring a second and so make United sweat.

Especially when they also had to contend with the absence of Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole, who may struggle to convince people here that he was missing because of an ankle injury.

From Michael Essien, Chelsea found their inspiration as well as their goal yesterday. Mourinho had moved him to centre half by the time he burst in ahead of William Gallas to meet a Shaun Wright- Phillips cross with an unstoppable 70th-minute header, but he more than demonstrated what a difference he could have made had he been in midfield against Liverpool.

To the relief of a tortured Ferguson, not even Essien could deliver another goal and to the delight of Arsenal's supporters Chelsea did not take it terribly well.

It was an extraordinary scene from the moment Mourinho began marching towards Chelsea's disillusioned fans. After seemingly barking at the Sky cameraman to go and film someone else, he began pointing wildly at his players and urging the supporters to give his heroes' a round of applause.

When Chelsea then walked back towards the tunnel en masse, with Mourinho at the front, they were greeted by a cacophony of boos and a chorus of what a waste of money'.

Frank Lampard was first to react, closely followed by the snarling dog that is Steve Clarke. Mourinho's assistant taunted his tormentors by giving them a big zero with his right hand and mouthing the words that they, unlike the holders of the Carling Cup, had won nothing.

Mourinho must, however, realise that in many ways Chelsea have been the architects of their own downfall this season.

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Injuries have been a major problem and Mourinho could not help but take a swipe at United and the Premier League for the mystery that surrounded the absence of Tim Howard at Goodison Park nine days ago. But look at the players they brought in last summer. Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack and Boulahrouz.

And look at the rift that developed between Mourinho and Roman Abramovich and the subsequent failure to bring in another centre half during the January transfer window.

Boulahrouz was brought back after missing Chelsea's 12 previous matches and he was a disaster, contriving not only to get himself sent off but also concede the penalty.

It was the crudest of challenges on Julio Baptista as the two players chased a long ball from Jens Lehmann, the Dutchman losing a yard in the sprint and then completely losing his head.

Typically, Chelsea complained bitterly. John Terry tore into referee Alan Wiley and so did Clarke when the officials returned to their dressing room at the end of the first half. Arsenal's fans could not help themselves. They might have endured a difficult first season at their new home but they were enjoying Chelsea's demise. Liverpool,' they cried in recognition of that defeat at Anfield.

Anything other than a win here meant the Quadruple would be reduced to a domestic cup double at the very best and Mourinho clearly reminded the 10 men who remained of that.

They deserved the equaliser they eventually scored and, had it not been for the excellent Lehmann, they might well have struck again.

Moments after Petr Cech did well to deny Alexander Hleb, Lehmann produced a terrific save to prevent Salomon Kalou from making a game out of Wednesday's encounter between United and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

As it is, a game that for so long looked like being a Premiership title-decider will prove painful for Mourinho and his players.

Will they applaud United on Wednesday or will Mourinho sulk after failing to win the League for the first time in five years? Will he congratulate Ferguson for winning his ninth Premier League title or will the FA Cup Final mind games begin?

There is much for Mourinho to reflect on. The decision to rest six players against Bolton in the Premiership game prior to this one, which finished 1-1. Their failure, after nine consecutive League wins, to triumph in any of the last three. Then, of course, there was the very public row with his Russian employer. The disparaging remarks he made about Liverpool and Cristiano Ronaldo. The nightmare that has been Shevchenko and Ballack.

The uncertainty that surrounded his future.

For pushing United so close and for reaching two domestic cup finals as well as the semi-finals of the Champions League, those who have delivered for Chelsea this season do indeed deserve credit.

But mistakes have been made and the responsibility rested with all of them yesterday. With Abramovich and his directors as well as Mourinho and his players.