• Premier League

Mourinho could escape touchline ban

Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands on Saturday © Getty Images

Enlarge

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho could escape a touchline ban after being sent off during Chelsea's 4-1 Premier League win against Cardiff.

Mourinho consistently left his technical area to complain to referee Anthony Taylor about Cardiff's perceived time-wasting resulting in him being asked to leave the dug-out.

Taylor, though, could be stood down for the next set of fixtures after failing to spot Samuel Eto'o illegally take the ball from Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall to assist the opening goal for Eden Hazard.

Cardiff are expected to make their discontent at the decision known and manager Malky Mackay has said that he will ask referees' chief Mike Riley for clarification on the decision.

The visitors took a shock early lead at Stamford Bridge through Jordon Mutch before Eto'o's equaliser. However, Mackay does not anticipate the impact of the controversial defeat at Chelsea to linger.

Mackay, whose side next play Norwich, was at Watford when Reading were awarded a goal in September 2008 by referee Stuart Attwell despite the ball going well wide of the Hornets' net.

"We were on the end of the ghost goal, when the ball didn't even go in the net," Mackay said. "I was first-team coach. I was standing watching that not happen.

"The following week you're back at it and you're just playing the following team and it's completely different. It's not something that ever gives that much of a hangover. We get up and get on with it. There's no hard luck stories here.''

Despite being on the receiving end of the unjust episode at Stamford Bridge, Mackay will not be calling for television replays to be introduced.

He added: "It's not a set-play game. It's not like American football. It's a free-flowing game. Where do the replays come in? At what point do you stop? Eventually there might be (replays), but at least we've got goal-line technology. It's only taken about 10 years for that to happen."

There was no great protest from the Cardiff players when Eto'o stuck his foot out to take the ball from Marshall, but that was because they had to react and defend, Mackay insisted.

He said: "You've got to keep playing on. If we'd stood and watched it that would've been sacrilege."

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd