Jose Mourinho blames lackluster start on refereeing decisions

Mourinho unhappy with the refereeing decisions

Jose Mourinho has hinted at poor refereeing decisions as the cause of his teams’ dismal start this season, reported Goal.com. Chelsea now placed at number 10 in the league table, has had to play with 10 men in two of their three games.

Thibaut Courtois was sent off in the first game of the season against Swansea City and John Terry was sent off against West Brom. Chelsea drew the first game against Swansea, were thrashed by Manchester City in the second game and won 3-2 against West Brom in their third game.

Mourinho said that it was not normal to have such decisions, two penalties and two red cards affecting his team’s performance. "I think the most important thing of this start to the season is that it’s not normal that, in three matches, you have two penalties against and play with 10 men twice," Mourinho said.

That’s the thing that immediately comes to the mind of someone analysing the situation. Apart from that, one match at home, two away, four points. He also said that they will try and practice with 10 men and they did do that during the pre-season in Canada.

Mourinho speaking to the Telegraph said, that he cannot blame John Terry for the red card as it was an incorrect decision made by the referee Mark Clattenburg. “It’s a ball into space behind the full-back who is pressing high. The striker makes the movement and then Mr Clattenburg decides a red card.”

Mourinho also said that Chelsea will not appeal against the one-match ban. “Normally, it’s a waste of time for us,” Mourinho said. “Matic against Burnley last year, Diego Costa against Liverpool, Courtois... it’s a waste of time.”

Today is Mourinho's 100th Premier League game at Stamford Bridge with the Portuguese having lost just once at home in his two spells as Chelsea manager.

He has 76 wins in 99 home games and this is a league record but Mourinho is focusing on Chelsea's leaky defence, fearing Palace could cause an upset.

Chelsea have conceded seven goals in three games and even strikers have been doing defensive drills at the Cobham training ground.

“We had individual mistakes completely out of context with the games,” he said. “Man City, for example, I can say fantastically played for their first goal. The second goal, individual mistake. The third goal too, out of context.”

Chelsea host Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace next and will look to make amends to the dismal start they have had this season.