LONDON // Jose Mourinho delivered a clear sign he was fuming about the decision that cost Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois a red card and handed Swansea the chance to secure a 2-2 draw from the penalty spot on Saturday.
The Chelsea manager refused to comment on the incident that saw Courtois challenge Bafetimbi Gomis on the edge of his penalty area in the 52nd minute at Stamford Bridge.
The striker went to ground, prompting referee Michael Oliver to send off Courtois and point to the spot after the foul was committed inside the area and had denied a scoring opportunity.
Gomis converted the penalty that allowed Swansea to equalise for the second time and ultimately denied Chelsea the opportunity to begin their defence of their Premier League title with a victory.
Read more:
– Chelsea’s Premier League title defence off to rough start after draw with Swansea City
– Jose Mourinho expects ‘the others’ to provide stern test to Chelsea’s Premier League title defence
Mourinho remonstrated angrily when the decision was made, but after the game his silence spoke volumes as the manager made it clear he was reluctant to go public with his feelings about the incident.
Asked about the decision, the manager said: “First game of the season, I don’t want to start in the first game.”
Mourinho confirmed he had seen a replay of the incident and insisted he attached no blame to Courtois.
The manager repeatedly has fallen foul of the FA after publicly criticising match officials.
Earlier this year he was fined £25,000 (Dh142,000) for comments he made following his side’s visit to Southampton when he complained of a “campaign” to influence decisions against his team.
Mourinho’s unwillingness to discuss Oliver’s performance suggested he might have started the new season with a resolution to keep his opinions about refereeing decisions to himself.
But the Portuguese denied this. “No, it is just because the first time I can control myself.
“I want to react this way so you don’t see he was (complaining) from Day 1. In Day 1 we were punished, but it was not on Day 1 that I opened my mouth.”
Chelsea’s failure to see out a game they had twice led inevitably throws focus on the development of the squad since last May when they won the title by eight points.
Oscar put them ahead in the 23rd minute and an own-goal by Swansea defender Federico Fernandez restored the lead after Andre Ayew had equalised for the visitors.
So far, only keeper Asmir Begovic and striker Radamel Falcao have come into the club as direct replacements for Petr Cech and Didier Drogba.
The manager was last week forced to defend the club’s approach which stands in contrast to the approach of Manchester City and Manchester United, who have invested heavily in their squads.
And while this result is unlikely to force a change of policy in the final weeks of the transfer window, criticism is sure to mount if Chelsea suffer many more disappointments.
“You know me and I think you don’t expect me after a bad result to come here and speak about the squad, the players, the transfer window and investments of other team so on, so,” Mourinho said.
“The players know one point is one point. Playing with 10 men for such a long time is much more difficult and, fundamentally, I am happy with the quality they had in the first half and I am happy with their spirit in the second half so we are in peace. We are not happy with the result.”
Swansea manager Garry Monk said the way Ayew took his goal offers a sign of things to come from the Ghana midfielder.
“I think he has come in and been incredible. He worked extremely hard with the group and the group have worked hard with him to make him settled,” Monk said.
“And it’s always good when you are in as a new player, in a new league, even though you have obvious qualities, to get that first goal. It will give him great confidence.”
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The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
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Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
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From: Lonely Loris is a Sunda slow loris, one of nine species of the animal native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore
Status: Critically endangered, and listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list due to growing demand in the global exotic pet trade. It is one of the most popular primate species found at Indonesian pet markets
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Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
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Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
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Install an air filter in your home.
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Shower or bath after being outside.
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Results:
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7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI