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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Leeks

Jose Mourinho's sarcastic response that saw him fined after Chelsea embarrassment

Jose Mourinho frequently landed himself in hot water with authorities during his time in the Premier League.

The Special One had two spells with Chelsea, as well as taking charge of Manchester United and Tottenham, earning a reputation as one of the world's top bosses. But he was also notorious for his run-ins with referees and one particular clash took place nine years ago on Wednesday.

Chelsea were hosting basement boys Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, in what appeared set up for an easy win for the title-chasing Blues. Things started perfectly for the hosts, with Samuel Eto'o putting them ahead after just 12 minutes.

The Cameroon striker reacted first from Willian's corner to score from close range. But it was a lead that would last just six minutes before Sunderland got themselves back on level terms.

Marcos Alonso's shot could only be parried by Chelsea keeper Mark Schwarzer, with Connor Wickham nipping ahead of John Terry to equalise. The Blues were then denied a goal on the half-hour mark when Nemanja Matic was adjudged to have fouled Jack Colback as he nodded the ball down for Terry to sweep home a volley.

Black Cats keeper Vito Mannone put in a man of the match performance as he made a series of stunning saves. Chelsea were left fuming by referee Mike Dean as he twice waved away penalty appeals before the first-half had ended.

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The hosts continued to ramp up the pressure after the break, but they were unable to find a way past Mannone. And they paid the price for their inability to score when Cesar Azpilicueta brought down Jozy Altidore in a slide tackle with eight minutes to go.

Former Chelsea striker Fabio Borini stepped up to to slot in from the spot, with Chelsea losing their 77-match unbeaten record under Mourinho at home. Mourinho even had to restrain assistant boss Rui Faria, who was sent to the stands after trying to confront Dean.

While he restrained Faria, Mourinho did not hold back in his post-match interview. In typically sarcastic fashion, the legendary boss slammed Dean and then-PGMOL chief Mike Riley.

"I only have four things to say. Congratulations to my players because they gave what they have and what they don't have. Congratulations to Sunderland because they won," he began.

"Congratulations to Mike Dean because he made a fantastic performance. And congratulations to Mike Riley because what they did during the season was fantastic for the way the championship is going.

"So congratulations to all of them and I have nothing more to say. I'm sorry. It doesn't matter, how why or which was they won, but they won the three points so congratulations to them.

Chelsea coach Rui Faria had to be held back by Mourinho after the awarding of the penalty (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

"I want to congratulate again, but this time it's Mike Dean. His performance was unbelievable. When referees have an unbelievable performance, it is fair also that as managers we give them this, so fantastic performance.

"He came with one objective, to make a fantastic performance and he did that. Congratulations to Mike Riley. What they have done all season is fantastic, especially in the last couple of months, especially with the teams involved in the title race."

Those comments quickly landed Mourinho in hot water with the FA though and they fined him £10,000. Faria was handed a six-match stadium ban, with the FA taking aim at Mourinho for his sarcastic interview.

Mourinho was subsequently fined for his comments (AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)

The statement read: "While the commission did not find that Mourinho's post-match comments called into question the integrity of the referee appointed to the above fixture and/or the integrity of Mike Riley, general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, they did find that the comments brought the game into disrepute and the charge for improper conduct was found proven."

Chelsea ultimately finished third in the Premier League table, while Sunderland safely avoided relegation. Mourinho left Chelsea just over a year later and is now in charge of Serie A giants Roma.

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