Chelsea
manager Jose Mourinho said “four moments” denied the Premier League leaders
all three points after a highly controversial 1-1 draw with Burnley at
Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Mourinho made the comments seemingly in jest following Nemanja Matic's
sending-off with 20 minutes remaining after the midfielder had lashed out at
Burnley striker Ashley Barnes.
However, Barnes himself was lucky to escape a red card for a dangerous
tackle on Matic that led to the Serb’s loss of control.
And with the visitors making the most of their numerical advantage to snatch
an 81st minute equaliser to deny Chelsea all three points, Mourinho was
understandably angry after the full-time whistle.
But it was not just Matic’s second-half dismissal that had left the
Portuguese so furious, but three other incidents during the match as well.
“I think there are four moments where you can write the story of the game,”
he told Sky Sports News. “Minutes 30, 33, 43 and 69 – the game had four
moments, but do not ask me more questions, as I will not answer because I do
not want to be punished.
“I cannot describe those incidents as to do that I have to use words that I
cannot use, and so it is better that we finish here. You do what you want to
do, speak what you want to speak, you are not punished by that, I am, and I
do not want to look silly in front of you, but I have to repeat: 30, 33, 43
and 69.
“I have nothing more to say, I am sorry,” before saying “I am surprised we
did not lose all three points.”
The three other moments of controversy Mourinho was referring to were
another poor challenge by Barnes that had left Branislav Ivanovic crumpled
in a heap on the half-hour mark, and two subsequent penalty appeals which
referee Martin Atkinson waved away.
The Chelsea coach did add further to those comments in his post-match press
conference, saying: “The player – if I can call him a player – that was
involved in minute 69 and was also involved in minute 30, then normally
minute 31 he should be in the shower, so no minute 69 if the person in
charge does it in the proper way on minute 30.
“But I prefer to finish here and just to say 30, 33, 43 and 69, and this is
the story of the game.”
And when asked if Chelsea would appeal Matic’s red card, Mourinho asked:
“Have you ever seen Chelsea win an appeal? I do not remember.”
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