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Mourinho slams Pellegrini for referee criticism

Jose refused to rise to Manuel Pellegrini's taunt that Chelsea play like a "small team" © Getty Images

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Jose Mourinho has refused to react to Manuel Pellegrini's jibe that the league leaders played like a "small team" in their 1-1 draw at the Etihad last week, instead suggesting that the Manchester City manager should stop reneging on his promise not to criticise referees.

Pellegrini launched a scathing attack on Jose Mourinho's approach after the game, claiming the Chelsea coach deliberately put 10 players behind the ball in a negative defensive ploy.

However, Mourinho immediately shot back, claiming Pellegrini had gone against his supposed stance of never talking about the opposition or referees, referencing his recent complaints about Clattenburg.

The City boss had publicly bemoaned the official's decisions in his side's 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in April, and this season's 2-2 draw at Arsenal.

"I don't have a reaction," Mourinho said. "I think he should, not me. It was not once or two or three times that he told everyone he doesn't speak about referees: he killed Mark Clattenburg.

"Three or four times he says he doesn't speak about me or my teams: he did it once more. It's for you to comment. When I said I don't want to speak about him, that's what I try to do.

"Don't speak with me. If you want a story, speak with him not me. I follow my line. I don't want to discuss any situation."

A slightly irritable Mourinho did otherwise confirm that every Chelsea player is fit apart from Ramires, and that Diego Costa will start against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Portuguese also claimed Costa is getting closer to the end of his injury issues, which currently leave him barely able to play two games in a week.

Chelsea meet Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in midweek, and Spanish striker is unlikely to feature in that game.

"Everyone is working hard. He is the first to do that. He's working hard in his recovery, with the medical staff and the conditioning staff, trying to be ready for every game. Mentally, he's ready for every game. Physically he's not. Everyone is trying hard for him to be able to play every game."

"If he doesn't play against Sporting, I play [Didier] Drogba or [Loic] Remy. But this game is tomorrow, not Tuesday. It's another game, another story. I don't think about the Sporting game. I play tomorrow with the team I think is the best to win against Villa. After that, the consequences I will face. I have to organise a team to play against Sporting. Tomorrow I play with the team I think is the best to win."

Ramires is meanwhile expected to be out until after the international break in two weeks.

"It's a muscular injury, so he won't play Tuesday or even against Arsenal. He needs the international break. He needs that time. Maybe he can be back after that."

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