Wednesday 3 December 2014 19:00, UK
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is confident he has the necessary firepower to cover for suspended striker Diego Costa.
The Blues will be without Costa for Wednesday night’s game against Tottenham after he was booked for the fifth time this season during the 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Saturday.
Costa has scored 11 goals for the Blues so far this season but Mourinho will turn to fellow summer signings Loic Remy and Didier Drogba for the game at Stamford Bridge in midweek.
Asked if Chelsea will miss their leading goalscorer, Mourinho said: "No. We'll play (Loic) Remy or (Didier) Drogba. We don't cry about injured players or about suspended players.
"If he's suspended, he's suspended. He can rest, he can be fresh against Newcastle and against Tottenham, Drogba and Remy will have their opportunity to start the game. No problem, let's go.''
Costa’s latest booking came after he caught Wes Brown with his arm during an aerial challenge, an incident which could have resulted in a sending-off for the striker.
But Mourinho had a different view of it, and said: "Why do you speak all the time about Diego? I don't agree, I don't agree. I was just told that he was unlucky to get the yellow card.''
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet felt Costa could have been sent off, but did not dispute the decision.
"That's Diego, always on the line, close to the limit,” said Poyet. “The first one with John O'Shea, there was a little bit of a situation in there.
"But those decisions, if they go one way or the other, I would say the same here. But it's true that sometimes you give the ref the chance, and if you give the ref the chance, then it's difficult to complain,
"But I'm pleased he is going to be able to play because he's the best striker in the league and you want to see him week in, week out.''
