• Premier League

Mourinho stands by Chelsea striker Costa

ESPN staff
February 27, 2015
Jose Mourinho is expecting a "peaceful" League Cup final between the two benches © Getty Images
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Jose Mourinho says Diego Costa has to be "careful" with referees and other players because of the reputation he has developed with them, but reiterated the striker does not have to change his behaviour.

Mourinho very much remained on-message about what he perceives as victimisation of Chelsea's top scorer, following the suspension for an adjudged stamp in the League Cup semi-final against Liverpool.

"He has to be careful but not with his behaviour, but because of the way other players and the way referees look at him, not the way he plays," Mourinho said. "Since he arrived in England I think he's doing very well."

Mourinho did insist that the fourth official would have an "easy job" in this Sunday's League Cup final, due to the respect between himself and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino.

"It is a relationship without problems. I like the guy and feel that he likes me. I cannot say we are close friends, because in football you normally don't have time to develop close relationships but he is a guy I respect.

"I feel he respects me too. It's the same with his staff, good people, doing his work. We don't have problems, I think it will be an easy job for the fourth official because in between both benches, for sure, peace and we do our jobs."

Mourinho did decline to speak about Nemanja Matic's suspension, following his red card last week against Burnley for a reaction to a challenge with Ashley Barnes.

He said: "If I speak again about Matic situation, I will be in big trouble."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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