Jose Mourinho has sought to play down suggestions that his relationship with Diego Costa is rapidly deteriorating after the fiery striker courted controversy during Chelsea’s goalless draw at Tottenham.
Advertisement
Mourinho described the visitors’ display as “the best Chelsea performance of the season”, but opposite number Mauricio Pochettino was frustrated that Spurs had not taken the points. “It was just a decision and I think we played really well, the dynamic was really good”, Mourinho told BT Sport.
“We know he’s a very good centre-forward, he’s at his best when he’s fighting, when he’s arguing, when he’s kicking, but when he’s not scoring goals with that, it stands out”, Scholes said before he game.
“The team defended as a team, with 11 players, against a team who press really well and aggressively”.
Costa’s frustration at not being picked became clear when he did not appear in the pre-match warm-up with the rest of the squad and prepared for the match elsewhere in the stadium alone.
Costa failed to make the starting eleven as Chelsea took on Tottenham at White Hart Lane, and was left to warm the benches.
“No I don’t like my subs to warm [up]”, he said. I was not expecting to have a player jumping and singing because he was not playing.
But the 52-year-old says it is normal for a top player to be upset when not involved during the 90 minutes.
Commenting on the incident in his post-match interview, Mourinho said: “If he wants to hurt me, it’s not with a bib”.
“So he is privileged I kept him in the team for all these matches”.
“It was just a decision, nothing else”. The hard part of the first half of the season is over, and there are still lots of good points to be won.
Winston Reid’s unfortunate own goal prevented West Ham United from claiming a first win in four Premier League games as they drew 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
“I was tempted not to touch the team because the team was unsafe”. The superb cross came from Branislav Ivanovic, but Hugo Lloris was positioned to slap Hazard’s shot wide.
“I am very proud because we showed a very mature performance, like at Qarabag”.
“We had control of the game and had the best chances”.
Advertisement
According to reports, there are problems in the Chelsea locker room and as we have all seen this season, no one is happy with the way the defending EPL champions have started the term.
