Blues still sensing a conspiracy
Two points clear after comfortable win but...
CHELSEA eased to victory at the Bridge yesterday — but were denied another clear penalty — fuelling Jose Mourinho’s suspicions that the club is suffering from a media campaign which is influencing referees’ decisions.
Chelsea moved two points clear of Manchester City with this victory but their afternoon wasn’t without controversy after referee Roger East missed a clear handball in the penalty area from Fabricio Coloccini on 55 minutes, which prevented Diego Costa’s cross reaching its intended target.
Mourinho was charged by the FA last week for voicing his concerns after Cesc Fabregas was booked for a dive two weeks ago against Southampton, when a penalty clearly should have been awarded.
And, with Mourinho again declining to speak to the media yesterday, it was left to his assistant Steve Holland to question the decision of East — though he was more conciliatory than his boss might have been.
‘It could have been a penalty,’ said Holland. ‘It would be nice today not to talk about referees. I think the referee had a good game. I think the team won today regardless.
‘Coloccini had his arm in the air. You could make an argument out: “Why did he have his arm in the air?” The ball clearly struck his arm. Had it not done, the ball would have gone into the area. For sure you could make an argument out for that being a penalty kick but our preference would be to try to focus on the improved performance in the second half.’
Chelsea were fortunate that East chose to be lenient when Nemanja Matic stopped Remy Cabella with an outstretched-straightened arm on 73 minutes, choosing to award only a yellow card.
‘There were a couple of challenges from Matic which were a little bit over-zealous,’ said Newcastle stand-in coach John Carver.
‘I was worried for Remy. He’s only six stone, soaking wet — but he’ll get more of that. He just has to move the ball a little bit quicker.’
Mourinho has failed to appear for scheduled press conferences since his FA charge last week and a Chelsea spokesman said: ‘There is an FA charge and he decided to take a back seat while that is in play. The club and the board fully support his position on this.
‘The fact that he wanted to get into a debate over refereeing, over what he saw as a campaign, we fully support that as well.
‘We think it should be something that can be debated.’
Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko hit the post early on as the Blues struggled. But a quickly-taken corner afforded Oscar space to score from eight yards and Costa rounded off a fine team move with a low strike just before the hour as Chelsea took full advantage of City’s 1-1 draw at Everton.