Jose Mourinho refused to get too far ahead of himself as Chelsea closed in on the Barclays Premier League title with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
Louis van Gaal labelled United’s performance their best of the season, but Eden Hazard’s 18th goal of the campaign sent Chelsea 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
Win at the Emirates Stadium on April 26 and Chelsea could be crowned champions at Leicester three days later.
The Gunners would have five games to play, but the Blues would have an unassailable 16-point lead and clinch the self-proclaimed Special One’s third English championship following his successes in 2005 and 2006.
Mourinho is taking nothing for granted, although he recognises wins in the remaining home games with Crystal Palace (May 3), Liverpool (May 10) and Sunderland (May 24) would be enough to seal the trophy.
“We need eight points to be champions,” Mourinho said.
“Football is not about ‘if’, it’s not about ‘almost’. It’s about mathematics. We need two victories and two draws to be champions.
Mourinho downplayed the significance of the triumph over third-placed United, who are now 11 points behind and out of the title reckoning, despite exuberant celebrations from his players.