Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1: Suarez fell like he’d be shot, claims Mourinho

Jose Mourinho accused Luis Suarez of falling as if he’d be “shot in the back” when he went to ground under Samuel Eto’s challenge late on in Chelsea’s win over Liverpool.

The Blues had fought back to go 2-1 up after first-half goals from Eden Hazard and Eto’o overturned the lead Liverpool had taken through Martin Skrtel in the third minute at Stamford Bridge.

He’s an amazing player but he tries too much to provoke these situations

Jose Mourinho

Eto’o appeared to catch the Liverpool striker in the box as the Uruguayan chased down Cesar Azpilicueta in the dying moments but referee Howard Webb waved play-on.

And Mourinho was adamant that the 26-year-old should have been booked for diving after Chelsea held on to move within two points of league leaders Arsenal.

“I would resolve the situation very easily with a yellow card to Suarez,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“I keep saying I hate players who try to provoke situations. In the same way I say that Luis is an amazing player and I have lots of respect for his quality, attitude and ambition to try to win every game.

“He’s an amazing player but he tries too much to provoke these situations.

“In that situation with Eto’o, he’s beaten by Azpilicueta, who was stronger than him. I knew that because Azpilicueta didn’t play against Swansea and Suarez is playing every minute of every match.

He wasn’t playing the ball so he was intentionally blocking our man

Brendan Rodgers

“Suarez lost that duel with Azpilicueta, Eto’ comes in, and it looks like somebody shot him [Suarez] in the back. For me that is a clear yellow card.”

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, was certain that referee Webb should have awarded his side a spot-kick.

“You’ve seen them given,” said Rodgers when asked about the incident. “Luis is coming out of the box looking to challenge the player and Eto’o’s not even looking at the ball – he’s purposely been streetwise and cute to block Luis.

“He wasn’t playing the ball so he was intentionally blocking our man. It’s a penalty is it not? [But] Howard was on the spot and didn’t deem it that, so we have to accept it and move on.”

Mourinho admitted his side were made to work hard for the three points, as the Blues notched up their third win in four league games.

“The difference between the winner and the loser was tight,” said the Chelsea boss. “They couldn’t start in a better way because without doing nothing they scored a goal.

“Our reaction was fantastic in the way we were looking for spaces and initiatives. In the second half the teams were very tired and in these situations it’s difficult to chase the result. The team that is winning when both teams are tired can control the game.”