Are Jose Mourinho's comments an excuse for his team's shortcomings?

Jose Mourinho: Post-Sunderland Press Conference

Chelsea lost 2-1 to Sunderland on Saturday thanks to a controversial late penalty by Fabio Borini. The penalty incident saw some ugly scenes as Chelsea’s assistant Rui Faria lost his cool and had a go at the match officials. In the end he had to be pulled away by Mourinho and was sent off by the referee.

“I want to congratulate Mike Dean. I think his performance was unbelievable and when referees have unbelievable performances I think it’s fair, as managers, we give them this. It was a fantastic performance, he came here with one objective, the objective to make a fantastic performance, and he did that.”

Throughout the season Mourinho has been known to make controversial comments, but most of them have been termed as part of mind games. But recently he seems to have lost his cool. The penalty was very soft and Altidore stuck out a leg to make contact with the opponent. However in the game, Mourinho’s men were very lucky to play with eleven men as Ramires had flung an arm at Larsson in the first half. As per reports, the FA are contemplating retrospective action on the Brazilian midfielder.

“And fourth, congratulations also to Mike Riley, the referees’ boss. What they are doing through the whole season is fantastic, especially in the last couple of months, and in teams involved in the title race. Absolutely fantastic. I also congratulate Mr Riley”

Last week in the game against Swansea, Chelsea played most of the game against ten men after Chico Flores was sent off by referee Phil Dowd. The decision seemed a fair call as it was a foul worthy of a second yellow card. However, there seemed to be pressure put on the officials by Chelsea players. After the foul, the referee looked like he was not going to change the decision. But after conversations with the players and the fourth official he made up his mind and sent off Flores.

Chelsea have had their fair share of luck in games this season. During the crucial top of the table clash vs Liverpool during the Christmas period , Chelsea deservedly won their game with a brilliant performance. However, Chelsea were lucky not to concede a penalty when Etoo appeared to have fouled Suarez in the penalty box. Etoo was also lucky to stay on the pitch as he had earlier launched a studs-up challenge on Henderson. The player himself had admitted that he could have easily been sent off.

In the home game against West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea were extremely lucky to be awarded a late penalty in extra time. Ramires went down too easily and West Bromwich Albion were denied the chance to end Chelsea’s amazing home run under Mourinho.

Luck always a part at different stages of the season. Chelsea have had their fair share of decisions going against them in recent games but they also have seen refereeing decisions favouring them in games this season. But the other title contenders have had similar luck , both for and against them at different stages of the season.

Chelsea have had a great season so far. After recent set of results they need luck to go their way to end up as champions in the Premier League. However blaming the referees for blowing their chances in the Premier League this season is simply an excuse used to overcome the team’s shortcomings. Chelsea have a great chance in the Champions League this season.

This is not the first time this season, Mourinho has had a go at the officials. After the defeat at Villa, Mourinho had a go at the referees when two of his players were sent off. Like against Sunderland, the performance of the team was quite ordinary. In the game against Sunderland, Chelsea were unable to create enough clear cut opportunities.

In recent weeks, Chelsea have dropped points against the likes of Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Sunderland. Chelsea have had a tough fixture list, but it is expected for a team which has the 3rd highest wage bill in the league and has loaned out more than 20 players this season. Chelsea have failed to score seven times in the league this season, a record bettered by Liverpool , Manchester City and Arsenal. The lack of strikers has been a problem highlighted plenty of times this season by Mourinho. But there would always be question marks as to why Chelsea allowed Lukaku to go out on loan when they could not get the striker of their choice.

If Chelsea end up with no silverware come the end of the season, it would be Jose and his team who would be responsible for it and certainly not the officials.