Chelsea
manager Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration after Cesc Fabregas was sent
off in bizarre fashion as the champions were defeated 3-0 at West Bromwich
Albion.
The
Spanish midfielder is set to miss the first two matches of next season plus the
final game of this campaign at home to Sunderland on Sunday following his first
half dismissal after he kicked the ball against Chris Brunt.
Mourinho
felt that a more experienced referee than Mike Jones would have resolved the
situation with a mere lecture after tempers flared following a Diego Costa and
Gareth McAuley off the ball coming together 29 minutes into the action at the
Hawthorns.
"I’ve
not seen a sending off like that," said Mourinho.
"I
would like to see it again. What is this for a sending off? Where is the danger
of the situation to get a red card in a friendly game almost?
"I
don’t understand. Darren Fletcher was aggressive yes, he pushed in the chest.
He’s experienced. It was much more aggressive than what Fabregas did.
"A
top referee with big personality has a few words and controls the game. It’s a
bizarre red card.
"Three
game ban for this? Jesus Christ. Of course it’s harsh. We lose all the time
(when we appeal) but I’ve not spoken to him.
"Diego
Costa was targeted, of course. But it’s the same story.
"It
depends on the referee. If the referee wants to protect the talent and punish
the bully it is easy for him.
"Congratulations
to West Brom for the season and this three points. And let’s go home."
Mourinho
felt this first defeat in 19 matches was the net result of claiming the title
three games ago as Saido Berahino scored on nine minutes and added a penalty
two minutes after the break before Brunt scored a third on the hour.
"The
ideal scenario is to be champions and don’t play again, go home and have
holidays," he said.
"When
you have three more matches it can happen with Bayern Munich three defeats in
three and we claim one point in two.
"When
you play since August with motivation and commitment and feeling the pressure,
when you are champions you breathe and everything changes.
"It
is difficult to play. Let’s blame the players a bit, myself and the top
contenders for the title as they were not good enough to fight with us. This is
a consequence of being champions so early."
West
Brom manager Tony Pulis insists any criticism of Chelsea is unwarranted.
"It’s
a great finish, we will finish 13th in the table but I don’t think anything
should be taken away from the team we played," he said.
"The
team we’ve played have been by far the best team in England. They have won the
league by a country mile and they have been much better than anyone else.
"Although
we have won this game, all the praise should go to Jose, his coaching staff,
the people of Chelsea and the players.
"Jose
was very good. I’ve managed against him twice and managed to beat him twice
with Palace and West Brom.
"He
was very gracious in defeat and for all what we have done, they have been
worthy champions. They are a fantastic football club with wonderful players and
for some people to criticise them is unbelievable.
"We
were so on edge after we lost at home to QPR and Leicester but the lads have
bounced back.
"The
attitude has been wonderful, we got the breaks in this game, we played really
well at times and defended well. The discipline was good and we made it very
difficult for Chelsea."
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