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Mourinho receives Chelsea backing

The Chelsea board has backed manager Jose Mourinho despite a poor start to the club's Premier League title defense.

Stuttering Premier League champion Chelsea has given its full backing to manager Jose Mourinho following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Southampton.

The loss at Stamford Bridge was Chelsea's sixth of the season and leaves the holders 16th in the table, as Mourinho faces his most difficult spell since returning for a second time.

Mourinho has been defiant since the defeat — dismissing suggestions he would leave his role — and was backed with a statement on the club's official website.