Mourinho defends Costa approach
Jose Mourinho has leapt to the defence of Diego Costa after the Chelsea striker was involved in skirmishes with Sunderland defenders John O’Shea and Wes Brown.
Costa failed to add to his 11 goals for the season at the Stadium of Light as Chelsea drew a blank for the first time this season in a 0-0 draw.
However, he escaped punishment after appearing to kick out at O’Shea, before picking up his fifth yellow card of the season for catching Brown with a flailing arm.
Asked if Costa’s feisty approach to the game was becoming a problem, Mourinho said: “Why do you speak all the time about Diego? I don’t agree, I don’t agree. I was just told that he was unlucky to get the yellow card.”
He added to the BBC: “Brown is very experienced and he used his body. They can frustrate a striker and can also be clever enough to get cards. But no problem. It’s a yellow card.”
Costa will be suspended for Wednesday night’s clash with Tottenham, although Mourinho insists he will lose no sleep over his absence.
Asked if Chelsea will miss him, he said: “No. We’ll play [Loic] Remy or [Didier] Drogba. We don’t cry about injured players or about suspended players.
“If he’s suspended, he’s suspended. He can rest, he can be fresh against Newcastle and against Tottenham, Drogba and Remy will have their opportunity to start the game. No problem, let’s go.”
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet admitted Costa could have seen red, but did not argue with referee Kevin Friend’s decision to spare him.
Poyet said: “That’s Diego, always on the line, close to the limit. The first one with John O’Shea, there was a little bit of a situation in there.
“But those decisions, if they go one way or the other, I would say the same here. But it’s true that sometimes you give the ref the chance, and if you give the ref the chance, then it’s difficult to complain,
“But I’m pleased he is going to be able to play because he’s the best striker in the league and you want to see him week in, week out.”
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