Jose Mourinho has warned Chelsea that they would be making a major mistake if they sacked him, blaming the officials for Chelsea’s 3-1 loss to Southampton.
Chelsea took an early lead through Willian’s free kick, but the Saints hit back shortly before the break when Steven Davis smashed a low drive past Asmir Begovic from the edge of the box.
Chelsea saw a penalty appeal for a challenge on Radamel Falcao by keeper Maarten Stekelenburg turned down, with the striker booked, shortly before Sadio Mane made it 2-1.
Graziano Pelle added a third for Southampton, but Mourinho said referee Robert Madley had cost his team by failing to spot the foul on Falcao.
“Look, I think you know me and I think you know I don’t run away from responsibilities,” he told Sky Sports. “Because we are in such a bad moment, we shouldn’t be afraid to be honest.
“The referees are afraid to give decisions to Chelsea. Once more we don’t get the penalty at a crucial moment in the game.
“The penalty in this game is crucial because my team, at the moment, the first negative thing that happens, they collapse.
“The penalty was a giant penalty, and after that the team lost even more confidence.”
He added, “If they [the FA] want to punish me, they can punish me. They don’t punish other managers. My players deserve it and the fans deserve it.
“I want to say it again: referees are afraid to give decisions for Chelsea.
“The penalty was a giant penalty and the referee was afraid to give it, like everyone else is afraid to give it.”
