Football: Mourinho says Chelsea can't celebrate yet since title has not been won

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho attempted to dampen the euphoria emanating from Stamford Bridge after his side closed to within two wins of the Premier League title by beating Manchester United.

Eden Hazard's 38th-minute strike gave Chelsea a 1-0 home victory on Saturday that means they will be champions if they win their next two games away to Arsenal and third-bottom Leicester City.

But when asked if Chelsea had effectively secured the title, Mourinho replied: "No, because we need eight points to be champion.

"Football is not about 'if', it's not about 'almost' - it's about mathematics. When mathematically it's done, it's done and we celebrate.

"But until that moment, we need two victories and two draws to be champion."

Mourinho was overstating the distance between Chelsea and a first league crown since 2010, because with Arsenal their nearest rivals - 10 points back in second place, six points from their next two games will suffice.

But he took a dim view when it was put to him that his players had looked like they were celebrating the title as they cavorted on the pitch at the final whistle.

"If the celebration is because we beat one of the biggest clubs in the world, I understand that," he said.

"If the celebration is because the players gave everything to win that game and they feel the result of the work they did all week to prepare, I also understand that.

"If they are celebrating something more than that, not at all."

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