Sunday 7 December 2014 10:18, UK
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho watched his team’s unbeaten start to the season come to an end at Newcastle and then complained that the ball boys and Newcastle fans were too slow to give the ball back when it went out of play.
Mourinho’s men created more chances than their hosts at St James’ Park but found themselves 2-0 down after Papiss Cisse came off the bench to score twice in the second half.
Following the dismissal of Steven Taylor, the visitors pulled a goal back through Didier Drogba, but Newcastle held on to claim all three points and Mourinho remains without a Premier League win at St James’ Park.
And the Chelsea boss was left to rue the amount of time it took the ball to return to the field of play in the closing stages – and the fact two balls appeared on the pitch at one point.
"You need one ball,” said Mourinho. “Sometimes, we had no balls, and other times we had two balls.
"I can't control that, the referee can't control that. It was difficult to play regularly and consecutively but it is something that is out of control.
"Even in the six minutes (of stoppage-time), the same happened. We cannot be here all day. The referee cannot give 15 minutes or give six and, after six, give another six."
Asked if he thought the ball issue was a deliberate strategy on the part of Newcastle, he remarked: “Do you believe in Father Christmas?"
Mourinho felt his side were very unfortunate to leave with nothing and added: “I don't like to lose because of bad decisions from the referee, but the referee was very good today.
“I don't like to lose and blame my players but that wasn't the case today. We were just unlucky.
“They scored the only two times they crossed the halfway line and scored two strange goals because of rebounds.
"But I am not going to criticise the way Newcastle played. We changed our strategy and played direct, and we almost got the point we deserved.
"We were unlucky, but one day we will be lucky.
"The best team lost, the team which tried to win lost. We were unlucky but that's football."
