Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho backs John Carver for Newcastle job

Mourinho embraced caretaker manager Carver during the game.

And the Portuguese told Carver – who is keen to succeed Alan Pardew at St James’s Park – that he “deserved” the job at the final whistle.

Newcastle dominated the first half, but they didn’t take their chances and a quickly-taken corner led to a goal from Oscar led to Chelsea’s 43rd-minute opener.

Diego Costa netted a second in the second half, and the victory took Mourinho’s side two points clear at the top of the Premier League and left United in 10th place.

Asked what Mourinho had said to him during the game, Carver said: “He said if you keep playing like this, then you will get a five-year contract! That was quite nice.

“At the end of the game he said that I deserved the job and that I was ready for it.

“He also said that he hoped I get it. Then he hugged me. He must have hugged me ten times. It was a nice gesture. He’s a nice guy.”

Carver revealed last week that he had spent some time at Chelsea watching Mourinho and his staff prepare their players while he was out of work.

The 49-year-old is likely to be in charge for Saturday’s home game against Southampton, which is followed by a two-week break.

And Carver expects a resolution soon to the club’s search for a head coach.

“I think that’s two weeks now (since Pardew left), and by the time the break comes after the Southampton, it’ll be a month,” he said.

“That’s a long time to get to decide what you want to do, so I think a decision will be made by then.”

Twitter: @milesstarforth