Mystified Chelsea boss Mourinho awaits red-card fate

PHOTO | ANDREW YATES Chelsea's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho (right) is ushered away by fourth official Jon Moss after he had been sent off by referee Chris Hoy (not pictured) during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park in Birmingham on March 15, 2014. Aston Villa win the game 1-0.

What you need to know:

  • Mourinho found himself at the centre of a storm of controversy as his side surrendered the initiative to Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
  • He also questioned why Gabby Agbonlahor, by then on the substitutes' bench, escaped punishment after claiming he "made an aggression" by storming onto the pitch and "pulling Ramires by his neck".
  • Villa boss Paul Lambert hailed his team's display as they moved into the top half.

BIRMINGHAM

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is mystified as to why he was sent off in his side's shock 1-0 loss to Aston Villa and says he is eagerly waiting on the referee's report to discover if he faces any further disciplinary action.

Mourinho found himself at the centre of a storm of controversy as his side surrendered the initiative to Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

Fabian Delph's 82nd-minute goal either side of dismissals for Chelsea duo Willian and Ramires inflicted a damaging defeat on the Blues as they failed to extend their advantage over second-placed City beyond six points, with Manuel Pellegrini's team having three games in hand.

And frustrations boiled over in added time when Mourinho ventured onto the field to vent his anger over Ramires' red card - for a two-footed lunge on Karim El Ahmadi - before subsequently receiving his own marching orders from Foy.

The Portuguese insisted afterwards he was in the dark as to why he was dismissed, claiming Foy twice refused to speak with him - once during the game and once afterwards down the tunnel.

He also questioned why Gabby Agbonlahor, by then on the substitutes' bench, escaped punishment after claiming he "made an aggression" by storming onto the pitch and "pulling Ramires by his neck".

Mourinho said: "It is a big occasion for me to know about the character of Mr Foy because I want to know what he is going to write about my sending off.

"If it was because I was on the pitch it was 4-5 metres inside the pitch, then there should be 10 people (sent off).

"Almost all of us tried to calm things down. If I was sent off because I was on the pitch I ask why not all the others? Especially a player who made an aggression - Agbonlahor on Ramires.

"He came from the dugout, grabbed Ramires and pulled him by his neck. He was on the bench!

"I tried to speak with Mr Foy twice. I tried on the pitch and I tried in the dressing rooms.

"I asked politely if he could give me five seconds and he refused.

"I prefer not to speak. If I speak I will be in trouble. I don't want to do something we are not allowed to do.

"We are not allowed to speak about referees. I do not want to be charged for bringing the game into disrepute."

It meant more frustration at Villa Park - the only top-flight ground in England at which he has not won - for Mourinho, yet he refused to be drawn into what it meant for Chelsea's title chances.

He added: "We have now the same number of points that we had before the match.

"We are not in the title race. We are in a match race. We play every game to win, sometimes we do sometimes we don't. That is our race, to try to improve."

HAILED DISPLAY

Villa boss Paul Lambert hailed his team's display as they moved into the top half.

"I thought we were outstanding," he said. "I don't want to talk about the decisions. I only want to talk about the football and us beating a top side.

"The goal from Fabian was fantastic. The cut-back from Albrighton was excellent and the finish was world-class against a goalkeeper (Petr Cech) who has been one of the best."