• Premier League

Mourinho: Congratulations to Mike Dean for a fantastic performance

ESPN staff
April 19, 2014
Assistant manager Rui Faria was involved in a heated exchange with referee Mike Dean © Getty Images
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An angry Jose Mourinho broke his media blackout following Chelsea's shock home defeat against Sunderland to launch a carefully worded attack on referee Mike Dean and Premier League match officials chief Mike Riley.

Mourinho has not spoken to the media since he was fined for entering the field of play at the end of his side's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last month, but he appeared on Sky Sports immediately after the Premier League's bottom club, Sunderland, ended his 77-game unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge with a shock 2-1 win.

"I only have four things to say," said a clearly agitated Mourinho.

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"Congratulations to my players because they gave what they have and what they don't have. Congratulations to Sunderland because they won.

"Congratulations to Mike Dean because he made a fantastic performance. And congratulations to Mike Riley because what they did during the season was fantastic for the way the championship is going.

"So congratulations to all of them and I have nothing more to say. I'm sorry."

With that, Mourinho refused to answer any more questions, as he was clearly aggrieved by the match officials' decision to award Sunderland a match-winner penalty after Sunderland substitute Jozy Altidore drew a penalty from a Cesar Azpilicueta foul eight minutes from time.

Fabio Borini, on loan from title rivals Liverpool, then slotted home the winner.

After speaking on television, Mourinho continued his line of attack in another brief news conference with the written media, as he delivered many of the same points with equally abrupt gusto.

"It doesn't matter, how why or which was they won, but they won the three points so congratulations to them," he said.

"I want to congratulate again, but this time it's Mike Dean. His performance was unbelievable. When referees have an unbelievable performance, it is fair also that as managers we give them this, so fantastic performance. He came with one objective, to make a fantastic performance and he did that.

"Congratulations to Mike Riley because he is the referees' boss. What they have done all season is fantastic, especially in the last couple of months, especially with the teams involved in the title race. I also congratulate Mr Mike Riley."

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