Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has claimed that it was not him, but club masseur Billy McCulloch who delivered the words of wisdom that helped them beat Manchester City.

The Blues produced one of the performances of the season to end City's 100% Premier League home record as Branislav Ivanovic scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Monday evening.

Mourinho has been hailed for his tactical approach to the game, but the Portuguese manager has revealed that it was his Scottish colleague who inspired the players with a rousing pre-match speech.

"I didn't speak to the team - I am serious," Mourinho told reporters. "It was Billy the masseur who spoke to them.

"He was screaming so much in a Scottish accent, going grrr, grrr grrr, that I didn't understand, but the players were clapping so they must have got it!

"I am serious. The last time I spoke to them was at lunchtime. It was Billy's team talk I'm telling you. Billy was fantastic today, I didn't understand, but it looks like the players they did understand."

The result moved Chelsea level on points with City in the table, but they still trail leaders Arsenal by two points.