Chelsea FC were dealt a terrible hand with referee Phil Dowd’s performance today but manager Jose Mourinho bit his tongue and did not criticize the referee. Mourinho is known for his post-match comments criticizing a referee for a terrible performance but this time was different. Perhaps he was tired of dealing with fines from the FA but the Chelsea FC manager referenced what he was upset about but did not go in to any detail.
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It seemed at times that Chelsea FC was playing Manchester United with an extra player on the field. Phil Dowd was fantastic for United as he handed out seven yellow cards to Chelsea FC players and did everything in his power to help them get a point from Sunday’s match. It came as little surprise to many fans of the Blues as they have become accustomed to terrible refereeing decisions go against them time and time again.
Jose Mourinho on Phil Dowd’s performance and Branislav Ivanovic’s red card:
"“The red card, I was seeing it coming. If I have to speak about the second yellow I have to speak about lots of things. The penalty that Ivanovic should have been given [after wrestling with Smalling], the accumulation of yellow cards, the throw-ins. I know I speak always with my heart and get in trouble.”"
Does this less talkative Mourinho reflect a growth or maturation for the manager? Or has he simply become so exasperated with the poor quality of Premier League referees that he has given up on trying to change things? The latter seems more likely given the way referees have officiated matches involving the Blues in recent years. A draw or a Chelsea FC loss suited the FA and Premier League on Sunday and even if Jose Mourinho will not say it, thanks to Phil Dowd that is exactly what they got.
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