Gabriel’s dismissal came in the aftermath of a bust-up between Costa and Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny in the visitors’ penalty area a minute earlier when Costa appeared to raise his arms and strike the Arsenal defender. While he was Chelsea’s main threat up front as he regularly pulled Arsenal’s defenders out of position with his runs, he should have been sent off for striking Koscielny’s face and then chesting him down to the pitch after being confronted by the Frenchman.
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Mourinho believes all is fair in love and war, and patently said so post-match at Stamford Bridge: accusing one journalist who questioned that approach of probably having played badminton as a kid.
“The recent events at Chelsea versus Arsenal highlight this where two Arsenal players were dismissed while Diego Costa the opposition player made 4 straight red card incidents and was shown one yellow card only”. They can tell him and they know Diego Costa.
Speaking immediately after the game, Zouma was asked by BeIN Sport: “Arsenal will feel hard done-by, they will claim you should have had a player sent-off in Diego Costa but this is a player that’s famed for riling other players isn’t it?”
Meanwhile, Arsenal are hoping an appeal to the FA will see Gabriel’s ban reduced from three games to two. Gabriel is guilty for getting involved and should not have responded at all.
But it is a ploy that will only work so long as Costa gets away with it.
Mourinho then proceeded to compare Costa’s behaviour to the Rugby World Cup, as he concluded: “I will go to a game on Sunday that I consider comparable in terms of dedication and passion – New Zealand against Argentina”.
Jose Mourinho says a much-improved defensive effort from his midfield and attackers is behind Chelsea’s return to form. I can’t comment on it because I didn’t see the incident or what happened after.
Mourinho will shuffle his pack for Wednesday’s trip to the Bescot Stadium, with captain John Terry expected to return at centre-back after being left on the bench in the stormy win over Arsenal.
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is concerned that his team are looking anxious when they play at Anfield. “We have to continue to play like this, especially the next game – it’s going to be very important for us”.
