Chelsea 2 West Brom 2: It was a clear penalty, declares Jose Mourinho
Chelsea 2 West Brom 2: Jose Mourinho insist his side fully deserved to be awarded a late penalty after dramatic draw
Jose Mourinho insisted that Chelsea fully deserved to be awarded a late penalty as they salvaged a dramatic draw against West Bromwich Albion.
Mourinho’s men went 1-0 up just before half-time through Samuel Eto’o, but the Baggies took a surprise lead in the second half thanks to goals from Shane Long and Stephane Sessegnon.
However, Eden Hazard netted a leveller deep into stoppage time after referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot when Ramires was brought down by Steven Reid.
“It was dramatic because the home team was losing and in the last 15 the reaction was very strong,” Mourinho told BBC Sport.
“We put everything into the game to try to score and at least not to lose. In the last part is was more emotional than technical or tactical. We missed lots of chances.
“At the end of the game we had a penalty which is always a difficult situation to accept for the team that is winning.
“But now they [West Brom] go home, they’ll see it on the screen and they’ll know that it was a situation when the referee didn’t make a mistake.
“It’s a clear penalty. I have watched it two or three times and it was a clear penalty in the same way it should have been a clear free-kick against West Brom when they scored the second goal.
“So I have reason to be very upset with the referee’s work. I believe he is a great referee, one of the best in European football, but he had a very unhappy game today.”
Mourinho, whose side were 2-0 losers at Newcastle last weekend, added: “The first half was really difficult because they played with 11 players behind the ball and it’s very difficult when you see such a wall.”
Meanwhile, Baggies boss Steve Clarke was convinced that referee Marriner made a mistake by awarding the controversial spot-kick.
“It was no penalty – that’s my take,” said Clake. “That’s five points my team have lost because of late decisions on penalties.
“It is ridiculous to have to take it because it wasn’t a penalty. Instead of being up close to the top six, we are in mid-table.
“I’m sad and I’m angry but I’m also very proud because we were magnificent today. We deserved the three points and I’m proud of my players.”
