Chelsea boss Mourinho refuses to blame captain Terry for almost costing his side victory

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refuses to blame captain John Terry

JOSE MOURINHO refused to blame John Terry as the Chelsea captain's sending off almost cost his side their first win of the season as they won 3-2 at WBA yesterday.

 

Chelsea were forced to play for 36 minutes after their skipper was dismissed for hauling down Albion striker Salomon Rondon - just a week after he was taken off at half time by his manager.

Chelsea at that point were 3-1 ahead after goals from £21.4 million new boy and man of the match Pedro on his debut, Diego Costa and Cesar Azpilicueta.

 

James Morrison scored twice for Albion but the penalty he saw saved earlier cost his team dear as Mourinho's ten men grimly held on.

Chelsea manager Mourinho said: "No, I don't blame John. It's a ball into space behind the full-back, who is pressing high. The striker makes a movement and then the referee decides it is a red card.

"I don't want to make anything of the decision. If I speak about that I have to speak about many other things in the game.

"I prefer to concentrate on us. It was a fantastic performance. A 3-1 win was less than we deserved with 11 against 11. Then, with one player less, and we are getting experience of that, we adapted well. "With 10 men, the spirit, organisation, fight and intelligence to keep the ball away from dangerous areas was superb. We are happy."

 

Mourinho, who said afterwards that his club are likely to appeal their second red card of the Premier League season, roared his delight into a pitchside microphone at the end and revealed: "I was singing.

"We have to train 11 against 10 these days. It's something we do in training."

An angry Albion manager Tony Pulis left key striker Saido Berahino out of the game because the youngster's focus on his game had gone with Tottenham's £15m pursuit of him.

Pulis said: "We are talking about Saido because of the transfer window. It is ridiculous.

 

"Saido is a great lad. But it can be disruptive, and it has been disruptive. It's the transfer window. Why can't we have a system where it finishes before the start of the season?

"He's a young lad who needs to be protected. There's loads of stuff going on in his mind and there loads of clubs, not just one but 15, saying things and doing things.

"The goals we conceded were disappointing. We got 50% of it right. We looked good in possession, created chances, but you can't give goals away like we did."