Mourinho Blames Time-Wasting Ball Boys Following Chelsea's First Loss
José Mourinho suggested a time-wasting conspiracy following Chelsea's 2-1 loss to Newcastle United.
The loss was Chelsea's first in the Premier League, ending the possibility of the club matching Arsenal's "Invincibles" season of 03-04.
“We wanted to play more football, but it was not possible because of a few things I thought didn’t belong any more to top-level football, but still belong here,” said Mourinho. “The ball disappeared, the ball doesn’t come, another ball comes, the ball boys run away. These kinds of situations that are, unfortunately, still part of the game. But no complaints.”
While Mourinho suggested there should have been 20 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game, Alan Pardew was nonplussed by the six minutes that were added and Mourinho’s ball-boy-related comments.
“José’s frustrated,” he said. “I understand that, but you’ve got to give the opposition credit. José’s moan at the ball boys was a bit harsh. Come on, it’s unbelievable. José won’t agree, but we’ve done the Premier League a favour by making the title race more interesting.”