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Jose Mourinho defiant in face of Branislav Ivanovic controversy

Jose Mourinho threatened to walk out his press conference after being asked about Bransilav Ivanovic’s apparent headbutt on Everton’s James McCarthy during his team’s 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

The winning goal came just a minute before full time as Willian struck low into the corner, with a slight deflection off Steven Naismith.

In an action-packed end to the game, the goal came moments after Ivanovic’s incident – a result of Everton’s Gareth Barry being sent off for a second yellow card.

Nemanja Matic had thought he had won it for the hosts, only for his deflected strike to be ruled out as being offside on Ivanovic.

Mourinho’s side had 21 shots on goal to Everton’s seven, and he was not happy about the post-match attention surrounding the controversial moments.

“I’m concerned with my reaction, because one more question and I leave,” he said. “And after that you are not happy. The next question for that story I have to go.

“I’m tired of stories and I’m never tired of football – football is emotion and what we had here today.”

Mourinho argued Barry should have been sent off in the first half for pulling back Eden Hazard after his first yellow card, and that a penalty should have been awarded for an apparent Naismith handball.

Mourinho walked out of his post-match BBC interview after being questioned on Ivanovic and refused to criticise the referee for his performance.

“I think the referee had a fantastic performance. The official that disallowed the goal, it was a fantastic decision,” he said.

“I don’t remember a team being champions without a couple of victories in the last minute.

“Every time I won a league title we had a couple of matches we won in the last minute.

“It was the first time this season. So, so happy with the points.”

Everton manager Roberto Martinez wasn’t impressed with Chelsea’s conduct towards the officials.

“It’s very clear that what the home team are trying to do is influence the referee,” he said.

“You don’t want to believe that that decision is given because of the reaction of the players.”

Image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube, with thanks

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