Obi Mikel Makes Claim For a Starting Spot

It was quite a relief to Nigerians to see Mikel start a premier league match, although the sweet news turned sour after 90 minutes when his club side ended the match at the losing end after Newcastle United continued their good form against a Mourinho-led Chelsea team with a 2-1 victory. It however warms the heart of football loving Nigerians to know that one of her best football exports is still in the thick of things. This result meant Chelsea’s unbeaten run came to an end. The coach’s reaction was a testament to the work ethic of the team which Mikel deputised for following the absence of Matić who was missing due to suspension. “We were unlucky,” said Mourinho. “The best team lost, the team that tried to win lost, but that’s football.” “What’s important is that it’s the kind of defeat which is easy to accept,” He continued. I don’t like to lose when the referee isn’t good and I blame him, which isn’t the case. He was very good and had no influence on the result. I don’t like to lose and blame my players because they were complacent, didn’t play, didn’t produce or the attitude wasn’t good, that’s not the case, so I’m happy about that. “We were unlucky, we didn’t score goals when we could have and we conceded the only times they crossed the midfield line, but that’s football and I accept it. We were unlucky, that’s crystal clear, one day we will be lucky.” Last summer, it looked very likely that Obi Mikel would be on his way out of Chelsea with the current in-flow of Midfielders, but he was determined to fight for a first team spot. Given his coach’s current preference of him over Ramires, the other defensive midfielder from Brazil, it is looking like ‘a light at the end of the tunnel’ for the Super Eagles superstar.