Saturday 21 February 2015 23:06, UK
Burnley manager Sean Dyche refused to get drawn into a war of words with opposite number Jose Mourinho after his side’s controversial draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Chelsea had midfielder Nemanja Matic sent off with 20 minutes to go in an incident that changed the course of the match, with Burnley full-back Ben Mee going on to head an 81st-minute equaliser for the visitors.
However, despite Mourinho suggesting there were “four moments” during the game that had crucially gone against the home team, and ultimately cost them all three points, Dyche was unmoved.
“We have not always had our fair share (of luck),” he told Sky Sports after the full-time whistle.
“You will have seen it on TV against West Brom the other week when there was an obvious foul and penalty, and we did not get either. You just hope that over a season it balances itself out.”
Speaking later at his news conference, Dyche defended Barnes, adding: "I've only seen it as it happened. It looked like a coming together at an odd angle. Then Matic reacts in the way he did.
"I will look back at it again, but I haven't seen it since. But there's more to talk about than that because it was an excellent performance.
"Barnes was involved in something earlier in what sense? Playing football? A charge in the back? Is there anything else? The grass was too short?
"I have total respect for Jose Mourinho, his players and Chelsea. Fantastic manager, fantastic club."
Dyche insisted his players were growing in confidence, even though they remain in in the relegation zone on goal difference.
“The confidence of the players is not in question,” he added. “They know the realities of being in this division, I have said it many, many times. The confidence is good and I think they are gaining an experience and know-how in this division.”
