Chelsea much-needed victory against Manchester United eased the pressure on Antonio Conte.
A powerful header from Alvaro Morata was enough to move Chelsea within a point of Mourinho’s side, who have now won just once in the league in their past four outings.
Here, Sportsmail brings you a round-up of all the things you may have missed from the clash at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata wheels away in celebration after scoring the only goal of the game
Jose Mourinho catches up with old friends
Prior to kick-off, Jose Mourinho caught up with a few familiar faces at Stamford Bridge. The first was club legend Gianfranco Zola and the second was Willian, a player was recently linked with bringing to Old Trafford.
Mourinho signed Willian back in 2013 under the noses of rivals Tottenham, with the tricky Brazilian quickly becoming a trusted lieutenant. The now-Man United manager was linked with re-signing him on deadline day, but a move failed to materialise.
Here, they can be seen laughing and joking before the whistle, with Willian getting the final laugh as Chelsea put in a dominant display.
Jose Mourinho and Gianfranco Zola were spotted chatting before kick-off at Stamford Bridge
Mourinho also gave his former player Willian a warm embrace ahead of Sunday’s match
Half-and-half scarves live to fight another day
Despite the club banning half-and-half scarf sales in 2016, an array of Mourinho-infused merchandise was seen on display at Stamford Bridge before the Blues hosted Man United.
The novelty pieces of memorabilia were prohibited after Chelsea won the right to trademark the word ‘Chelsea’ on all clothing items, but amalgamations of Conte and Mourinho still surfaced among fans on Sunday.
A counter-argument here is that if there was ever a time to champion the use of a half-and-half scarf, it would be when Mourinho’s new team face Chelsea, although, to some fans, Mourinho’s status as the ‘Special One’ has since been eroded since taking the reins at Old Trafford.
Half-and-half scarves were out on show for supporters with split loyalties on Sunday evening
Chelsea stars feel the brunt of Conte’s hairdryer treatment
David Luiz was dropped entirely from Chelsea’s matchday squad, with fellow Brazilian and out-of-favour winger Kenedy joining him in the stands.
Antonio Conte gave his player’s the hairdryer treatment following a defensive horror-show in the Champions League against Roma.
Luiz’ reaction to being substituted in that game and Kenedy’s yawn during the manager’s address did the Brazilian pair no favours, as both were dropped for the clash against the Red Devils, with Conte calling the decision ‘tactical’.
Kenedy (top second left) and David Luiz (top centre) were both left out of the matchday squad
Cesar Azpilicueta putting them on a plate
Chelsea’s ever-present versatile Spanish defender clocked another assist against Man United, his fifth of the season, putting him among elite company.
David Silva leads the way (8), followed by Kevin De Bruyne (7) and four players locked on five each; Pascal Gross, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Leroy Sane and the man known to some as ‘Dave’
All of Azpilicueta’s assists have been to Alvaro Morata, the most by one player to a team-mate. For someone who plays predominantly in a back-three, his attacking abilities and role in smoothening Morata’s transition into becoming a Premier League striker often goes unnoticed.
Antonio Conte embraces Cesar Azpilicueta after his assist for Chelsea’s winning goal
Alvaro Morata leading the way
No player in the Premier League has scored more than two headers this season. Alvaro Morata has four following his thumping effort against Man United.
No player has scored more headers across Europe’s top five leagues since the start of last season than Morata’s 10 either.
The Spaniard still has three goals with his feet, but he is quickly carving a name for himself as one of the Premier League’s best aerial threats too. His thumping header left David De Gea with no chance and ended a run of six games without a goal.
Morata’s winner against Manchester United was his fourth headed goal of the campaign so far