Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has criticised the Newcastle ballboys for failing to give the ball back during his side’s 2-1 defeat at St. James’ Park.
It was the Blues’ first loss of the season, having been tipped to match the achievement of the Arsenal invincibles, going a whole season undefeated.
Mourinho was happy with the performance of his players, but attached some of the blame to the “timewasters” off the pitch.
“The ball disappeared, they keep the ball, they hide the ball,” said the Portuguese after the game.
“The referee can’t punish the ball boy who disappeared with the ball, the referee couldn’t punish the people in the crowd who kept the ball.
We want to play then no ball. Then one ball comes, the second ball appears again. This kind of strategy is cheap.”
By Joseph Richardson
