Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City
Jose Mourinho lambasted his Chelsea players for throwing away a two-goal lead in a shock 4-2 defeat to League One minnows Bradford in the FA Cup fourth round.
Jon Stead lead the comeback for Bradford, scoring the first and providing the assists for late goals from Andy Halliday and Mark Yeates, while former Chelsea academy player Felipe Morais scored a dream equaliser at Stamford Bridge.
Gary Cahill and Ramires had seemingly put the Blues on course for a routine win with goals in the first half, but Mourinho’s heavily rotated squad were eliminated from their first competition this season.
“It’s a disgrace for a big team to lose to a small team from a lower league,” said Mourinho.
“Me and the players must feel ashamed.
“Frustration is not the right word, embarrassed would be more appropriate.”
Six thousand away fans saw Bradford defy the 49 places between them and Premiership leaders Chelsea, and they were good value for their win with the same number of shots on target recorded.
However, Cahill’s flicked volley from a corner and Ramires’ cool finish after a one-two with Mohamed Salah looked to have sealed the win before half-time.
Stead’s rifled left-shot shot meant that it was 2-1 going into the break, and the Bradford fans went into delirium as Morais found an empty net after James Meredith’s long throw caused havoc.
Halliday then scored with a stunning curling strike from Stead’s layoff and the madness was completed with Yeates beating Petr Cech in injury time.
“What happened is football and football is beautiful,” said Mourinho.
“I think this is the beauty of football where a much better team can lose, which is difficult to happen in another sport and more possible to happen here in this country and this sport.
“The small team mentality is special. My respect goes to that and to them, they did a fantastic history for them and their club.”
Mourinho went into the Bradford dressing room to congratulate the players, and Phil Parkinson was delighted with his team’s effort.
“We are at our best when we take the game to them, and the way the lads stuck to the job on the pitch was absolutely superb,” he said.
“Kicking to our supporters in the second half was a big factor too, they made it like a home game for us.
“It was almost surreal when the fourth goal went in. It took a while for what we have achieved to sink in.”
