The wrong penalty decisions have cost us valuable points: Jose Mourinho
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that the Blues were denied a chance to further strengthen their lead at the top of the Premier League table, courtesy of, what he feels was an incorrect penalty that was awarded to Southampton in the 19th minute of his side’s home game on Saturday. Diego Costa scored his 19th goal of the season in the 11th minute of the game to give the hosts the lead.
That lead though lasted for only 8 minutes as Saints midfielder Sadio Mane was brought down in the box by Nemanja Matic, who was shown a yellow card for the mistimed challenge. Serbian Dusan Tadic then completed the formalities to make it 1-1. That proved to be the final scoreline at the end of the 90 minutes and both teams took home one point apiece.
The 52-year-old Portuguese clearly seemed unamused at that decision after the game, saying that the referee had made the wrong decision during both of his side’s matches against Ronald Koeman’ side and that has led to them losing out on crucial points.
"If you remember our two matches against Southampton: in one game, one penalty that is not a penalty, and in another game a penalty that was not given. You are speaking about six points transformed into two points,” Mourinho was quoted by ESPN.
"I'm happy with the situation. I'm happy with the six-point lead, but I'm not happy with the result. My opinion is not important. Important is Mr Mike Dean [the referee]. His decision was a penalty [for Southampton] and his decision was no penalty on Ivanovic,” he added.
Pundits are there to provide their opinion: Mourinho
The former Real Madrid manager was also not willing to listen what the football pundits had to say, with regards to the decision and felt that experts have their opinion on the way he manages a team and when he too, becomes a pundit like them, he can also express his views like them.
He further revealed that he got mixed responses from pundits with regard to the penalty call. "Pundits are paid to wear my suit, but I'm not paid to wear their suit or to comment on their comments,” said the Portuguese.
"If one day I become a pundit, I will wear a manager's suit. I will win every game, because pundits win every game, and then I can be critical and I can be phenomenal like they are. I went to Sky and they told me their pundits said it's a penalty. I went to BBC and they told me it's not a penalty. I went to the radios and they told me it's not a penalty,” he added.
Taking about bringing on Ramires in place of Matic in the second half, Mourinho said he didn't want to risk the side going down to 10-men in the second half and hence took the call.
“When that penalty is given you have to believe that the second yellow card can come,” he said.
Arsenal still has a chance to win the title: Mourinho
He also felt that third-paced Arsenal, along with few other teams were in contention to lift the title.
"More teams are in the race.For me, which momentum [for Arsenal]? Three-one against Monaco or 3-0 against West Ham? It depends on the momentum.
"If somebody tells me in August that at the end of March we are six points in front and one match in hand, I would sign immediately. No doubts,” he concluded.