West Brom boss Tony Pulis believes it would be disrespectful to Jose Mourinho to credit Guus Hiddink with Chelsea's revival.

The Baggies to go Stamford Bridge on Wednesday with the champions unbeaten since Mourinho was sacked last month.

Hiddink has taken charge for four matches but the Blues are three points behind Albion in the Barclays Premier League.

The Dutchman replaced Mourinho as interim boss until the end of the season and has won two and draw two of his games, with Chelsea 14th in the table.

But Pulis rounded on any of Mourinho's critics who would suggest Hiddink is the sole reason for Chelsea's return to form.

He said: "The fact is Mourinho won the league last season by a country mile.

Jose Mourinho
Axed by Chelsea: Jose Mourinho

"There might have been other reasons that things didn't go so well this year but to put Jose down is completely and utterly out of order.

"What you said was disrespectful to Mourinho and also the players that won the league last year because they played some great football last year, some fantastic football.

"We're in for a tough game It's Chelsea they've some wonderful players and we'll have to be on it and at our best.

"That's the same with every top four or five club. If you go away and play against them you have to have at least ten of your players playing to their maximum to get a result."

How things went so badly wrong for Mourinho at Chelsea:

Time Line

Timeline: Jose Mourinho's season from hell at Chelsea

  1. Eva row

    August 8 – Mourinho criticises first-team doctor Eva Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn for 'naivety' in running onto the field, at the referee's instruction, to treat Eden Hazard in the opening day draw against Chelsea.

  2. Terry subbed

    August 16 – The Special One hauls captain John Terry off at half-time in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City; the first time he has taken the defender off in a league game.

  3. Costa row

    September 19 – Mourinho was furious with Arsenal and the FA after Diego Costa was retrospectively banned for a feud with Gunners defenders Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel.

  4. Roman dare

    October 3 – After a 3-1 defeat to Southampton, Mourinho practically dared Roman Abramovich to sack him; prompting the club to issue a vote of confidence.

  5. Referee abuse

    October 3 – In that same press conference, Mourinho criticised referee Robert Madeley and earned a £50,000 fine and a suspended stadium ban, which he is appealing.

  6. Electronic tag

    October 15 – Mourinho hits back at the governing body and says he's delighted he wasn't issued with an electronic tag.

  7. Hazard warning

    October 17 – The Portuguese boss criticises Eden Hazard's work rate after dropping him for their 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

  8. Mourinho meltdown

    October 24 – Mourinho is sent off for accosting Jon Moss during half-time at West Ham as Chelsea are condemned to another defeat.

  9. Capital One Cup exit

    October 27 - Chelsea are dumped out of the League Cup as 10-man Stoke City win on penalties

  10. Halloween horror show

    October 31 - Chelsea are beaten 3-1 at Stamford Bridge by Liverpool. After the game Mourinho delivers a bizarre post-match interview, repeatedly answering questions with: "I have nothing to say".

  11. Stadium ban

    November 2 - Mourinho handed a one-match stadium ban and fined £40,000 for his behaviour during the West Ham defeat.

  12. More woe at Stoke

    November 7 - Chelsea lose their seventh Premier League game of the season, as they go down 1-0 at Stoke. Mourinho serves out his stadium ban.

  13. Bib row

    November 29 - Diego Costa is dropped to the bench and appeared to petulantly throw a bib at Mourinho. The champions are held to a goalless draw at Tottenham.

  14. Shocked by Cherries

    December 5 - The pressure is cranked up further on Mourinho after his side lose 1-0 at home to injury-hit Premier League new boys Bournemouth.

  15. Last game in charge

    December 14 - A ninth league defeat of the season, this time to Leicester, comes days after the Blues qualify for the Champions League knockout stages. The Chelsea boss says afterwards he feels "betrayed" by his players, hinting at a dressing room revolt.

  16. End of the road

    December 17 - Mourinho gets the boot after days of discussions at boardroom level. Chelsea cancel Friday's pre-match press conference.

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