Reuters
London, Oct 4: Chelsea’s early season slump turned into a full-blown crisis Saturday when they were beaten at home 1-3 by Southampton. But in spite of the loss manager Jose Mourinho stated that he would stay on in his job, unless sacked. He was saved from the axe when the Chelsea board met Sunday morning with owner Roman Abrahamovic insisting that the club continue with the Portuguese.
Southampton’s win at Stamford Bridge meant Chelsea have made their worst start to a season for 37 years and ended the day in 16th place on eight points, 10 behind Manchester City who will be top at least until Manchester United play Arsenal, Sunday.
Chelsea’s dire run continued even though they took an early lead with Willian scoring with a 10th minute free-kick. Southampton hit back with goals from Steven Davis just before half time, Sadio Mane after 60 minutes and a third from Graziano Pelle 12 minutes later.
The defeat prompted an extraordinary response from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who spoke for seven minutes without pause in response to one question from a ‘Sky Sports’ reporter after the game.
Mourinho insisted Chelsea should have had a penalty before Southampton scored their second goal, and said he was not running away from his responsibilities.
“I can imagine what people are thinking about what is going to happen or not going to happen,” he said. “Let me be clear: One, I do not run away. Two, if Chelsea want to sack me they have to do so, because I am not running away from my responsibility or my team and from my conviction.
“Third, even more important than the first and the second, I think this is a crucial moment in the history of this club because if the club sack me they sack the best manager that this club have had and the message is…that if there are bad results the manager is guilty,” Mourinho added.
Mourinho strongly criticised referee Robert Madley for not awarding Chelsea a penalty when Radamel Falcao appeared to be brought down by Saints goalkeeper Martin Stekelenburg after 53 minutes.
“The referees are afraid to give decisions for Chelsea,” he said, a theme he continued for several more minutes. “I cannot pinpoint the reasons, but that is the fact.”
Mourinho, however, refused to be critical of the players. “No, I don’t blame them, they are suffering from a lack of confidence,” he stated. “It happens. The problem is that it has happened to many of my players at the same time.”
