Chelsea analysis: Antonio Conte gets tactics spot on vs Manchester United as fans' Jose Mourinho love affair looks over

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By Simon Johnson24 October 2016

Jose Mourinho was humiliated on his Premier League return to Stamford Bridge where his former side Chelsea routed Manchester United 4-0 on Sunday.

Having held out for 90 minutes against Liverpool at Anfield last Monday, United conceded the quickest goal in the Premier League this season to Pedro after 30 seconds.

United were then ripped apart as Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante completed the scoring as Mourinho's men sank without trace in west London.

Standard Sport's Simon Johnson assesses the key talking points...

Chelsea fans' love affair with Mourinho is over - well almost

Once universally revered by Chelsea's following, there was little sign of affection for the former coach on his return to Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea just 10 months ago, but there was no hint of regret coming from those in the home end.

Unlike six years ago, when Mourinho sat in the away dug-out as Inter Milan manager, there was hardly any fanfare before kick-off.

Indeed when he took his seat after giving a brief hug to counterpart Antonio Conte, he was ignored.

Initially, the only song sung in his direction during the match that Chelsea dominated from start to finish was the taunt: 'you're not special anymore'.

Such a chant was unthinkable during two spells at the club, but his defection to Manchester United has appeared to change all that.

'Sacked in the morning' rung out as Chelsea took a 4-0 lead, but just when you thought the relationship was beyond repair, the stands joined in a loud rendition of 'Jose Mourinho'.

Those three League titles haven't been completely forgotten after all.

Chelsea's back three is clearly here to stay

What a difference a month makes. In September, Chelsea were a shambles defensively and picked up just one point in three matches.

But since coach Antonio Conte has switched to three at the back, they have looked far more assured.

In previous years, the prospect of Chelsea going into a game with John Terry on the bench, even after a five-week absence with an ankle injury, would have been unthinkable.

But the trio of Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta are combining to good effect and have now kept three clean sheets in a row.

It is not completely without it's flaws. Noticeably Manchester United deliberately tried to target Azpilicueta's lack of height at the back post by moving Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marouane Fellaini on to his shoulder whenever a cross was played in.

Thibaut Courtois also made some fine saves during the 90 minutes too.

But this is early days and with this system allowing Chelsea's more attacking players the licence to cause a threat at the other end, Conte's men now look a potential threat in the title race after all.

Luiz is always a moment away from calamity

The Brazil international has yet to give any media interviews since returning to Chelsea in August.

It is understood he feels a little aggrieved at the level of mockery his abilities as a defender get in this country.

In fairness, he has largely played well since his £34m transfer from Paris St Germain and some of his team-mates were more to blame for their defensive problems last month.

But Luiz still manages to get himself into trouble of his own making - this time it was his ill discipline rather than positioning that threatened to undo all the good work.

There is no doubt he should have been sent off for a shocking studs high challenge on Marouane Fellaini's knee just before half-time.

Fortunately for Luiz, referee Martin Atkinson produced a yellow, but as long as he is susceptible to moments of madness like this, then he will continue to get the wrong kind of attention.

Paul Pogba still doesn't look like a world record buy

There was a brief moment where Pogba looked like he was proud to be wearing a Manchester United shirt.

The score was 3-0 to Chelsea and some Blues' fans were giving the midfielder some stick - 'what a waste of money' they cried.

Clearly offended, Pogba pointed to the Manchester United badge on his shirt and pointed to it defiantly.

But such passion was missing where it mattered, on the pitch against the blue wall in front of him.

Playing in the No.10 role, Pogba was largely anonymous. In fact, one couldn't remember one telling pass or shot from his feet throughout.

This is simply not good enough for a man that cost £89m from Juventus. Chelsea tried to buy him themselves last year and they will be relieved on this evidence to miss out.

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, bought for nearly a third of the price from Leicester in the summer, looked far more worthy of the hype, especially with the way he scored Chelsea's fourth.

Nemanja Matic is back to his best

The Serbia international was one of the players targeted by Mourinho for criticism when things were going awry at Stamford Bridge last season.

Aiming his frustration at one of the quieter members in the dressing room, in front of his team-mates, didn't do the midfielder's or the squad's morale much good.

Matic's form deteriorated and even when Mourinho departed, he struggled to regain his mojo.

At one point this summer, it looked like Matic was leaving only for Conte to make it clear that he remained a big part of Chelsea's plans.

That faith is now being rewarded and Matic, with the energetic Kante next to him, put in a fine display.

Just a measure of his rediscovered confidence was the lovely crisp pass to Eden Hazard that set up the third goal.

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