Jose Mourinho says there is “no issue” with Diego Costa after leaving the striker on the bench against Tottenham. I am happy with my decision and the players.
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I just want them to be mentally ready to play when I need them.
Yet it took Lloris’s brilliance to keep out Hazard’s sweet volley as Mourinho was left enthusing: “I think it was the best Chelsea of the season”.
Former England International, Paul Scholes, lambasted Diego Costa for his unruly behaviour at the White Hart Lane on Sunday when he threw his bib at his manager Jose Mourinho.
“I think Chelsea will be happy with the point”.
Mourinho offered no sympathy afterwards to the side’s top scorer for last season and claimed that Costa had enjoyed a privileged status for most of the campaign. “When I decided not to play him, he went”.
Chelsea have had little to shout about of late and although the result served only to move them up to 14th place in the standings, Mourinho, who dropped misfiring striker Diego Costa, was encouraged by what he saw.
Champions Chelsea have made a dismal start to their title defence, losing seven of their first 12 league games to sit five points above the relegation zone, and Mourinho said it had been a learning experience.
“I do not expect to have a player on the bench jumping and shouting because he is not playing”.
The Brazil-born Spanish global has endured a horrid start to the new season scoring just four goals in 17 appearances.
Chelsea felt like “a small team” to Tottenham in their encounter at White Hart Lane, according to the host’s manager Mauricio Pochettino.
“Playing the way we played, I wouldn’t be surprised if in the next 10 matches we don’t lose one”. Operated mainly in Eric Dier’s territory and didn’t find it easy to shake off the Spurs man. Worked hard though, supported Eden Hazard well and always looked to create. Today we thought this was the best strategy and we are happy with the decisions.
However, Tottenham remain unbeaten in the Premier League since their opening-day defeat as Manchester United as they extended their unbeaten run to 13 games.
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“We have to win if we want to finish in the top four”, said Hazard, who only came close in the first half with an off-target header.
