Jose Mourinho has proved he is one of the best managers in the world, having won everything possible in his club career, but Chelsea’s recent performance is not persuasive enough. This is the reason, the football analysts in England to start talking about eventual sacking of ‘The Special One’.

The manager answered to the question whether he is going to resign with the words: ‘I won’t resign. I won’t give up unless they sack me!’ We all know that the Portuguese is perfectionist and this comes to show that Mourinho is motivated to prove he is the best, but he also thinks that there is a conspiracy against him and the referees are helping Chelsea’s opponents.

It is said that the Portuguese manager has received an ultimatum. The team must win the next three consecutive games against Liverpool, Dynamo Kyiv (in The Champions League) and Stoke City. And even if Chelsea win in these three matches it is not sure that Mourinho will stay at The Stamford Bridge.

Besides the poor results, there is no sign of the team’s performance from the last season, when The Blues won The Premier League and The Capital One Cup. Now, Chelsea are out of The League Cup and 11 points away from the first place in The Premiership after 10 rounds passed. The Blues succeeded in just 5 of 15 competitive matches so far this season.

Mourinho has proved that he can get out of difficult situations. But he is not the only squad member, who is guilty for the Chelsea’s performance drop. His scandal with the team’s doctor Eva Carneiro affected negatively to the team. Last but not least, some of the Chelsea’s key players are totally out of form. For example, Hazard, who was one of the most effective Blues’ player in the last season, is now invisible on the pitch.

The manager was also blamed by the fans for his transfers politics this summer. Abdul Rahman Baba, who was signed from Augsburg can’t still adapt to The Premier League. Except for Pedro and Falcao, there were no other major transfers in the Blues’ squad. The Colombian continues with his poor performance in The Premier League after his unsuccessful period in Manchester United.

On the other hand, there are still chances Mourinho to save the season for Chelsea. Just the team will have to start winning matches. And if Chelsea win these three consecutive games, everything will look different. Also, the players will sooner or later find their best form, because we all know that all the Chelsea’s footballers are classy.

In conclusion, only the time will show what will happen to Jose Mourinho and his career in Chelsea. I don’t think it will be right if the manager is sacked, because he has a great understanding for the game and has proven he is the best, choosing the tactics for every single match.

One of the biggest favourites in the battle for The Capital One Cup – Manchester United was eliminated in the 1/8-final stage of the competition, after a shocking loss 1: 3 (on penalties) to Middlesbrough at Old Trafford. Both teams failed to score in the regular time, as the guests were more active. A Daley Blind’s own goal was disallowed due to Quique’s offside and Jesse Lingard shot hit the post. At the extra time, both teams missed opportunities and when the game went on penalties, the most experienced in the selection of Louis van Gaal – Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young missed and eventually Middlesbrough triumphed 3-1.

Surprisingly, the guests who were supported by 10,000 supporters at Old Trafford, missed the first goal chance, which opened in the 16th minute. United’s defence failed to clear after a corner kick and the ball was back in the box where Emilio Nsue tried a bicycle shot and passed to George Friend who missed from a close distance.

41 minutes into the match, United managed to create their first clear goal-scoring chance. Fellaini controlled the ball well and shot with his right foot from inside the box, but Friend blocked in the decisive moment. Immediately after that, Romero had to save his team for the second time, punching a great Stuart Downing’s shot.

At the beginning of the second half, Depay shoot from a big distance and Middlesbrough’s goalkeeper Mejias dropped the ball for a moment, but then he managed to catch it before the line. Five minutes after that, the ball was in the Romero’s net. Quique fired, the ball bounced off the post, then Blind in a very comical way put it in the net. But the goal was annulled because of offside. In the 66th minute United’s defence went to new ridiculous situation. Blind passed back to Romero, who clumsily missed the ball and only the luck saved his sheet clean.

In the final minutes, both teams missed several chances for goal. Lingard’s first shot hit the post. Then Leadbitter and Downing created two great opportunities for Middlesbrough, but Romero was at the right place to save his team.

In the last minute of the extra time, Martial and Fellaini missed two great opportunities to score in Borough’s net, but their header shots went so close, both not accurate. This led to the shootout.

Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young missed for the hosts. The only United’s player, who scored from the penalty spot was the youngster Andreas Pereira. For Middlesbrough, Leadbitter, Downing and Gibson were accurate. David Nugent only missed the target, but that was not fatal for the guests, who continue to the quarter finals where they will play against Everton.

Manchester United: Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Rojo (61′ – Young); Carrick, Fellaini, Pereira, Lingard, Wilson (46′ – Rooney); Depay (71′ – Martial).

Middlesbrough: Mejias; Kalas, Ayala, Gibson, Stephens (114′ – Clayton); Friend, Downing, Leadbitter, Nsue, De Pena (79′ – Zuculini); Kike (84′ – Nugent).