Jose Mourinho slams Sam Allardyce's '19th century' football, Manchester City move top

JOSE Mourinho slams Big Sam Allardyce's '19th century' tactics in a brilliant post-match spray as Manchester City saunter top.

A dose of midweek Premier League football has had a dramatic impact on the title race, with Manuel Pellegrini's side snatching it from Arsenal. The question now is - will anyone be able to take it off them?

Here are the major talking points from the morning's action:

BIG SAM 1. JOSE 0.

In the round Manchester City sauntered to the top of the Premier League and Juan Mata enjoyed applause for his Manchester United debut, Chelsea could not breach West Ham United, despite 39 shots on goal to their one.

It was the most by any team who failed to score in the Premier League since 2003-04, as West Ham camped themselves in the box and failed to relent.

Mourinho's famous bus was replaced by a giant freight train with a wall in front of goal. And it gave him the you know whats.

Over to Jose, to explain the rest.

"That is not best league in the world football, this is football from the 19th century. Too bad," Mourinho moaned.

News_Rich_Media: Highlights of Chelsea's 0-0 draw with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

"What do I mean about 19th century football? Pretending injuries. Cheating, but I don't know if that's the right word.

"The goalkeeper taking his time, not after minute 70, but in the first minute. Ten defenders in the box. Very basic.

"It's very difficult to play a football match where only one team wants to play. I told Big Sam (Allardyce).

"They need the points but because they need points, to come here and not play and do it the way they did ... is it acceptable? Maybe yes.

News_Rich_Media: Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o made a sneaky attempt to rob West Ham goalkeeper Adrian of the ball and break the deadlock at Stamford Bridge on Thursday morning, and it wasn't the first time the striker has calmly poached an opposition keeper this season.

"I cannot be too critical because if I was in this position, I don't know, would I do the same? Maybe I would.

"But at the same time, this is not Premier League. The only thing I could use was a Black and Decker (power tool) to destroy their wall."

West Ham is still 18th, but Sam Allardyce couldn't help himself in reply. It's okay for Mourinho to be pragmatic - but don't mess with the Portuguese when you 'out-tactic' him!

News_Image_File: Pick the happy manager.

News_Rich_Media: West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian has been named the player of the week for round 23 for his incredible nine saves against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

"He just can't take it because we outwitted him. He just can't cope," Allardyce said.

"I love to see Chelsea players moaning at the referee, trying to intimidate him, Jose jumping up and down saying we play crap football.

"It's brilliant when you get a result against him. Hard luck, Jose."

Frank Lampard had a wonderful chance to steal the match in the final moments but Hammers keeper Adrian made a clutch reaction save to keep Chelsea out.

And then, Mourinho wanted Jose-time and saw it as the fourth official's responsibility to invoke football's moral standards.

News_Rich_Media: The top five saves from round 23 of the EPL.

"When one team comes here to do what West Ham did and the referees have the chance to show they are not happy with the game too, and they give four minutes with five changes in the second half?

"Even with the changes, that is two-and-a-half minutes. Then there was what they did, and the injury to the keeper. That was the wrong message."

WAS IT A RED?

News_Image_File: The major incident from Thursday morning (EDT)'s action.

News_Rich_Media: Liverpool's biggest ever Merseyside Derby win in the Premier League is the headline moment for round 23 of the EPL.

Manchester City had dominated Tottenham despite holding just a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute, but once Danny Rose was marched for his foul on Edin Dzeko in the box, it was all too much for Tim Sherwood's outfit.

It's hard to argue that that decision robbed Spurs, given they've lost 11-1 to City over both EPL clashes this term, but referee Andre Marriner was wrong to march the Spurs defender.

Sherwood said the club will appeal the red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

"He's had to lunge in there a bit, but he's having to because Dzeko is bearing down on goal. He clearly wins the ball."

Former referee Graham Poll wrote in the Daily Mail: "Rose had clipped the ball away from Dzeko, who then crumpled to the ground.

"Sometimes playing the ball is not enough as the follow-through wipes out the opponent; that was not the case here. It should have been a corner."

News_Image_File: Referee Andre Marriner shows a red card to Tottenham Hotspur's English defender Danny Rose..

Throw in a disallowed goal for off-side just as they were growing into the game, it was dire viewing for the White Hart Lane faithful.

Sherwood's 4-4-2, with Mousa Dembele and Nabil Bentaleb in the middle, just wasn't in the same stratosphere as City's rampant machine - beautifully captured by Sergio Aguero's opening goal, where David Silva picked the ball up in so much space, with time to turn and play in the Argentine.

News_Image_File: A joy to watch when in full flight.

SO, ANYONE UP FOR THE RACE?

News_Rich_Media: A collection of some of the lighter moments from round 23 of the English Premier League.

Arsenal stumble at St Mary's, Chelsea can't breakdown West Ham - West Ham! - and City rumble on. Tuesday morning's City/Chelsea clash is just massive.

Manuel Pellegrini had the luxury of keeping Alvaro Negredo on ice, bringing on Steven Jovetic to replace Sergio Aguero (who has another injury concern).

"You have to hold your hands up. Even before the sending off, they worked around the pitch and they came at us from all angles," Sherwood said.

He added: "In my opinion, they are the Champions of the League.

"Unfortunately for everyone they play, they don't just score one and then shut up shop, do they? "They keep coming at you and if anyone is going to win the league, you want someone like this team to go on and win it because they entertain. They push on.

News_Rich_Media: The top five goals from round 23 of the EPL.

"It's not great for an opposition manager, believe me, but they just put you to the sword and that's how football should be played, in my opinion."

The major Achilles heel for Pellegrini's side this term has been silly points dropped away from home.

"Away from home maybe that is the best we have played.

"We missed at least five or six clear chances. We defended well, that's why the performance was complete."

They have away matches at Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton in quick succession, but why should that scare them?

DOWN BELOW

For the sixth time in EPL history, there were six first-half goals - bizarre given Aston Villa's home record this term and West Brom has won just one of its last 13 league matches.

Not only did Pepe Mel's side drop a two-goal lead (created within nine minutes), but scored three away from home and couldn't win!

"It is incredible to score three goals away and get no points," Mel said.

Fellow strugglers Sunderland are jubilant, Gus Poyet's side out of the bottom three for the first time since August, thanks to Adam Johnson.