Diego Costa: Jose Mourinho says stamps ‘absolutely accidental’

28 January 2015 : Diego Costa’s alleged stamps in Chelsea’s Capital One Cup semi-final win over Liverpool were “absolutely accidental”, says boss Jose Mourinho.

The striker trod on Emre Can and Martin Skrtel in a second-leg tie that saw the Londoners progress after extra time.

Mourinho said: “As the opponent is on the floor, he puts his foot there when he’s looking to the ball.”

But Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said: “He has this edge to him. With Emre Can, that was poor, I felt.”

The incident when Costa stood on the ankle of Can took place close to the technical area in the first half and prompted an angry response from the Liverpool player.

Rodgers added: “He could easily hurdle over the young player and he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could’ve been nasty.

“And again the one with Martin Skrtel. There’s no need to do it. That’s the sad thing of it. He’s a top-class player and he’s clever enough that the officials don’t see it.”

Costa could face retrospective punishment from the Football Association for the two incidents, if referee Michael Oliver says he did not see them in his report.

Premier League leaders Chelsea face second-placed Manchester City on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.

Spain international Costa was involved in three of the game’s main talking points, having also had a penalty appeal turned down when tripped by Skrtel, as Branislav Ivanovic’s extra-time header secured the Blues a 2-1 win on aggregate.

Declining to identify who he was talking about, Mourinho accused a television pundit of having a “campaign” against Costa.

He said: “I think maybe you are already influenced by… I’m going to use a word which put me in trouble but I think this time I cannot be punished to say that there is a campaign on the television with a certain pundit that is saying Diego Costa ‘crimes’. This guy must be nuts.

“Great campaign. We know how much that pundit loves Chelsea and particularly loves me.

“These guys, they have a very good seat, very good money, no pressure. They are always right. They never lose, they always win, but they have to be fair and they have to be honest.

“Forget it. Let’s go to Wembley. Come on. I don’t know his name, because when I see him I switch off the television.”

Mourinho, who admitted to missing the goal due to a discussion with fourth official Phil Dowd, appeared to be involved in a row on the touchline with Liverpool counterpart Rodgers during a fiery second half.

The Portuguese described himself and Rodgers as “very different people”.

Mourinho added: “He worked in Chelsea in my time for a few years. I don’t know if he learned something with me or not. Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t.

“I could speak about Skrtel, I don’t. He goes to the television, he speaks about [Chelsea keeper Thibaut] Courtois. He forgets [Liverpool keeper Simon] Mignolet. I speak about Courtois and Mignolet.

“He forgets his goalkeeper. I don’t forget my goalkeeper, because my goalkeeper helped me to be in the final.

“He is what he is. He is a fantastic manager, but we are different people.”

But the Liverpool boss said: “There is no problem. It’s a competitive game between two top sides and the chimp comes out every now and then.”

Source : BBC Sport