SOCCER: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refused to rule Arsenal out of Premiership title contention this season after his side secured their first victory over their rivals in the league for a decade.

Mourinho declared: "I don't think Arsenal lost the championship today. They are three points behind the leaders. Last season we were five points behind the leaders and won the title with a 12-point margin. We produced more chances than them and I told the players at half-time the game was so close they could not lose their emotional control and tactical organisation.

"I told them to play with more ambition in the second half and Drogba is more direct for us. We defended well as a team but the goal for us was a lucky one. But both teams were equal in their tactics, organisation and approach. I didn't think one side was better than the other.

"But when we scored with 15 minutes to go, I could sit back and think that we would win the game because our defence is so solid. It is important to get that defensive security . . . But I saw no reasons for Arsenal not to be there at the end. I would like them to give up now but I don't think they will."

Mourinho also handed a debut to new £24.4-million signing Michael Essien, who joined the club in midweek from Lyon. Essien was introduced as a second-half substitute. Mourinho explained: "I spoke with him yesterday and asked him how he felt. He was not ready for 90 minutes but he could give us some help during the game. In his 30 minutes he showed what he can do for us in the future."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was concerned about the lack of belief his squad showed. The Frenchman said: "I felt we gave a cheap goal away. The game was not satisfactory for me because I expected a much better game. We had a lot of possession but lacked incisiveness. We put plenty of pressure on their defence but failed to make the most of it.

"My biggest concern is that the players are very disappointed because they feel they did not deserve to lose the game. I hope that will have positive consequences in the future."