• Premier League

Mourinho hits out at league schedule

Jose Mourinho will be looking to put defeat to Newcastle behind him © PA Photos

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Jose Mourinho believes his side are being disadvantaged by the Premier League's scheduling as Chelsea prepare to face West Brom just three days after their win over Schalke.

Chelsea are the only English team involved in the Champions League to be playing on Saturday, with Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs given an extra day of rest.

Mourinho has accused the schedulers of unfairly targeting his team after last month's 48 hour turnaround between their league match against Manchester City and Capital One Cup meeting with Arsenal.

"I think they laugh," he said. "They know what they can do and laugh because I can do nothing. The people who decide the fixtures, I don't know who they are but what I know is that they think we're special and give us the right fixtures. We're the only ones who play Wednesday and Saturday."

Mourinho joked Chelsea will be boosted by having one extra day to prepare for their next league game after the international break - away to West Ham.

"I feel our match is very special because from every English team involved in European competitions, especially the ones involved in Champions League matches, we're the only team that play Saturday.

"Everybody has one more day to rest. Others play Tuesday and Sunday. Once more we're really special and maybe our game versus West Brom becomes the 'Special Saturday'.

"It is happening a lot with us. Instead of having 15 days to prepare for West Ham, now we have 16 days, which is good. I think Big Sam will be very upset because we have 16 days to prepare for the game. That is good."

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