7 November 2006, by Sean Gillen

Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea - match reaction

Mourinho vents fury at referee Poll

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho aimed his frustration at referee Graham Poll after his side were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in the Premiership on Sunday. The Portuguese manager has demanded that officials be asked to explain their decisions on television in future.

The Blues had a Dider Drogba goal dissallowed when they were 1-0 up, and captain John Terry was sent off in the second half for a second yellow following a tussle in the penalty area.

“We didn’t deserve this result because for long periods of the game we were the best team. But Tottenham fought a lot, they fought with their hearts to try to have a special day and they got it so I have to congratulate them.”

“But in such an emotional game of football with good quality I don’t understand why Mr Poll wants to be part of the show. The show is Chelsea players and Tottenham players - they gave a great game of football. I don’t know why Mr Poll wanted to be such an important person in the game.”

As well as the contentious decisions involving Drogba and Terry, Mourinho was also critical of the referee’s failure to issue a red card to Spurs’ Egyptian midfielder Hossam Ghaly for an elbow on Michael Essien.

“The disallowed goal for Drogba - only he can explain, it’s 2-0 in the moment where Chelsea were playing great football," said the former Porto boss.

“And to show a red card to a player for contact in the box when he was the attacking one I felt is also a bit ridiculous.”

“The yellow card to Ghaly is a clear red because he elbowed Essien, so every decision was against us.”

“I think instead of managers complaining and speaking against the referee’s decision I think they should come for an interview," he continued.

“Instead of managers criticising decisions - because it looks like I lost the game so I complain about the referee - I think you should come and you should show the images to ask them the reason why the goal was disallowed, the reason why John Terry saw a second yellow card, the reason why Ghaly only saw a yellow card. They have to explain their decisions.”

“It’s very easy to be a referee and after go home and not have to show their faces and they don’t have to give explanations.”

“I lose a game and five minutes after I have to be here to give an interview.”

“But I prefer to explain it in the easiest way. Tottenham scored two goals, we scored one and congratulations to them. Wednesday is another day and another game.”

The result saw Chelsea lose ground on Premiership leaders Manchester United, who moved three points clear at the top. After a Carling Cup match with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, Chelsea will hope to get their league form back on track with back-to-back home games against Watford and West Ham.

Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea - match report