With both Chelsea and Manchester City faltering in the Champions League on Wednesday night, Jose Mourinho’s warning ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash between the sides has an even greater ring of menace.

The Blues manager – sober and thoughtful after last weekend’s 4-2 defeat of Swansea – warned that Chelsea’s Champions League group was “more difficult than people think”.

He pointed out that immediately after the forthcoming European games, the Blues face City, Arsenal, United then Liverpool.

Chelsea’s perfect start to the season was derailed by FC Schalke as the German side, who had started their own domestic season poorly, ground out a point in a 1-1 draw. Across Europe in Munich, City lost 1-0 to Bayern.

The Blues looked out of sorts, with Jose giving Didier Drogba a nostalgic start up front to rest free-scoring Diego Costa ahead of the trip to the City of Manchester stadium on Sunday.

But Didier couldn’t summon up the X-factor that inspired Chelsea to lift the trophy on the last occasion he wore blue.

Jose’s substitutions were dramatic, but too late to change a result against a well-marshalled side determined to cling to an away point.

Costa and Loic Remy were flung on with a quarter of an hour remaining, but chance after chance went begging, and when Eden Hazard had a good chance on goal, Schalke keeper Ralf Fahrmann saved well.

The mood at the Bridge was a far cry from Chelsea’s early-season league matches, characterised by lovely build-up play and effortless goalscoring.

Mind you, the Blues are leaking goals at a rare old rate too, but – hey – everyone loves goalfests if they keep winning.

“We give to the stadium what the stadium is always waiting for; a win, and if possible, to win in a beautiful way,” said Jose after defeating the Swans. There was less beauty on show in midweek. Will it return in Manchester?