Chelsea have one hand on the Premier League title after Eden Hazard gave them a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho has taken a game-by-game approach to the season and will refuse to get ahead of himself, but win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday week and Chelsea could be crowned champions at Leicester three days later.
Arsenal would have five games to play, but the Blues would have an unassailable 16-point lead and clinch the self-proclaimed Special One's third English championship following his successes in 2005 and 2006.
United, who began the day eight points behind, dominated the opening period, but their only chance of note saw Wayne Rooney shoot narrowly wide.
Hazard then showed why he is favourite for the PFA Player of the Year prize, netting his 18th goal of the season on the counter-attack following Oscar's fine flick.
The strike, seven minutes before half-time, shifted the momentum of the contest in Chelsea's favour.
Juan Mata has been influential in recent weeks, but he was unable to inspire United on his first return to his old stomping ground.
Kurt Zouma, meanwhile, fully justified his inclusion in midfield in combating the considerable threat of Marouane Fellaini.
United had reason to feel aggrieved when Ander Herrera was booked for diving when tripped by Gary Cahill in stoppage time.
Referee Mike Dean ignored United's penalty appeals and Mourinho and Chelsea were able to celebrate a significant triumph.
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