• Premier League

Mourinho: City get lucky with decisions

Jose Mourinho has gone on the offensive against title rivals Manchester City by claiming they have been "lucky" with refereeing decisions and appearing to suggest they have been "dodgy" with regards to financial fair play.

Mourinho did not name specific clubs in his comments regarding UEFA's FFP regulations, but the target seemed obvious in a press conference previewing Monday's Premier League clash against City.

City insist they will meet the FFP regulations, which say clubs must not spend more than they earn. On Wednesday, City posted losses of £51.6 million for the 2012-13 accounting year, down from £197.5 million in 2010-11.

With the Chelsea boss expecting his rivals to add to their squads over the summer, he said: "Independent of that, some clubs are feeling FFP as a fair FFP, and some others are feeling FFP as a dodgy FFP. Independent of that, next pre-season, day one, I will say Chelsea are a candidate to win the Premier League. We are not favourites to win any competition this season. The speech will change completely next pre-season."

While Mourinho continues to downplay his side's title chances this season, Chelsea are just three points adrift of leaders City. However, Mourinho believes his side could easily be closer to Monday's opponents, claiming City have been the beneficiaries of key refereeing decisions.

"I think they have everything," said Mourinho. "Everything. The players are obviously very good. Even with very good players, if the manager is not good, you don't do it. On top of that - and I want to make it very clear that, for me, it's just a coincidence and nothing else - the reality is they have many crucial decisions in their favour.

"They are lucky. Against Liverpool, the Sterling 'goal'. The penalty on Suárez. Against Newcastle, the goal that is a clear goal. Against Tottenham, Dawson's goal, the penalty and the red card. They are having everything. I repeat: just pure coincidence. But at the moment they have everything in their favour."

Mourinho also mocked Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood's claim that City "are the best team on the planet" after their 5-1 thrashing of Spurs at White Hart Lane in midweek.

"Maybe, for the Tottenham manager, the planet is England," said Mourinho. "You will see in the Champions League. You will see in a couple of months."

City face Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 this month, while Chelsea take on Galatasaray.

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