text: Straight after Easter on planet football comes squeaky bum time, but the only squeaking at Chelsea came from Jose Mourinho, trying to contain his mirth when told West Ham had the most positive tactics in England. Mourinho was having no truck with the Barclays Premier League's Fair Play table, which lauded the Hammers for their attacking style and frowned upon Chelsea's lack of respect. He dismissed it as a joke. He was relaxed ahead of a visit from Manchester United. He even offered support to Manuel Pellegrini, claiming the Manchester City boss had been treated like a 'criminal' after losing six of eight games. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has spoken out in defence of under pressure colleague Manuel Pellegrini . Pellegrini has overseen a poor run of form at Manchester City, losing six of their last eight games . Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero (left) tussles for the ball with Manchester United's Marcos Rojo . United defender Chris Smalling scores his side's fourth goal as they beat City 4-2 at Old Trafford last week . Pellegrini poses with Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (left) after winning the league last season . No love is lost between Mourinho and Pellegrini, but the Chelsea manager said: 'I'm surprised a team that won two titles in three years and are still champions can be brought to hell. 'It looks like they don't deserve respect, that they are bad players, that the manager is a bad manager, that they are a disaster. But they are the champions. 'You want lots of teams fighting for the title. 'So how can you be so negative with a team that's won two titles in three years? Some managers cannot win and life goes on, but the guys at Man City... it looks like they're criminals.' Victory on Saturday will extend Chelsea's lead over United to 11 points and inch Mourinho closer to his first Premier League title since 2006, having led from the start. 'We are boring, top of the league since day one,' said the Portuguese. 'Everyone would love the Premier League to be like the Championship, with four teams separated by a couple of points. 'I know this would be the ideal scenario, but since day one we are there. We are trying not to allow that to happen. We have big determination to be champions.' As for the Fair Play table, well, he couldn't care less. It is compiled using data from Premier League delegates who mark teams in six categories. The conduct of Chelsea's players towards match officials is rated the worst in the league and only Sunderland score worse when it comes to the behaviour of staff. 'I'm not surprised,' chuckled Mourinho. 'These delegates are the same delegates who do the evaluation of the referees' performances and I read them every week. 'I think it depends on the food and drink. We have to change the catering because we have the best and many times they don't see the games. Next season, bread and water.' Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic (centre) in action during a session at the Cobham Training Ground . Blues winger Eden Hazard (centre) dribbles with the ball ahead of team-mate Filipe Luis (left) on Friday . Chelsea's Juan Cuadrado (left) shields the ball from the challenge of Luis (right) during training on Friday .
target: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has spoken in defence of Manuel Pellegrini .
  The under-fire Manchester City manager has overseen a poor run of form .
  Pellegrini won the league title in his first season but is struggling now .
  Mourinho believes that some criticism towards Pellegrini is overblown .