Newcastle United 2-1 Chelsea
Jose Mourinho accused Newcastle United of unethical tactics as Chelsea lost their first game of the season at St James’ Park.
Two second-half goals from substitute Papiss Cisse gave Alan Pardew’s side a famous victory as they held on despite Steven Taylor’s red card and Didier Drogba heading a pulling a goal back.
After the game, Mourinho alluded to the home side’s tactics that prevented the constant flow of the game and the role United’s ball boys played.
He said: “We wanted to play more football but that was not possible because of a few things that I thought didn’t belong any more to top level football.
“I think more time should have been added on. Even in the extra time they kept on doing the same thing. It is the kind of strategy that unfortunately is still part of the game.
“The ball disappeared, they keep the ball, they hide the ball, we want to play but no ball. When one ball comes the second appears again.”
Newcastle opened the scoring in the 57th minute when Cisse latched on to a deflected Sammy Ameobi cross and tapped past Thibaut Cortois.
Chelsea came close to finding an equaliser with 12 minutes to go but Eden Hazard’s shot struck the post and Cisse doubled Newcastle’s lead after the home side countered.
Taylor was sent off for a second yellow card before Drogba headed past substitute Newcastle goalkeeper Jak Alnwick from the subsequent free-kick.
The Blues manager said he had no complaints but did not think his team deserved to lose the game, ending their 23-match unbeaten run.
He added: “We didn’t deserve this result, but it is a result we have to accept and we have to move on, and we have to ask the other 19 teams in the Premier League if anyone wants to be in our position.
“I think one of them would like to be, but the leader is only one and the leader is Chelsea.”
Feature image courtesy of Channel 4, with thanks
