It's bizarre, Mourinho says of Fabregas' red card

It's bizarre, Mourinho says of Fabregas' red card

WEST BROMWICH - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration after Cesc Fabregas was sent off in bizarre fashion, as the English Premier League champions were defeated 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

The Spanish midfielder is set to miss the first two matches next season plus the final game of this campaign at home to Sunderland on Sunday, following his first-half dismissal after he kicked the ball against Chris Brunt.

Mourinho felt that a more experienced referee than Mike Jones would have resolved the situation with a mere lecture, after tempers flared following a Diego Costa and Gareth McAuley off-the-ball clash 29 minutes into the action at the Hawthorns.

"I've not seen a sending-off like that," said Mourinho.

"I would like to see it again. What is this for a sending-off? Where is the danger of the situation to get a red card in a friendly game?

"I don't understand. Darren Fletcher was aggressive, yes, he pushed in the chest. He's experienced. It was much more aggressive than what Fabregas did.

"A top referee with big personality has a few words and controls the game. It's a bizarre red card.

"Three-game ban for this? Of course it's harsh. We lose all the time (when we appeal) but I've not spoken to him.

"Diego Costa was targeted, of course. But it's the same story. It depends on the referee. If the referee wants to protect the talent and punish the bully, it is easy for him.

"Congratulations to West Brom for the season and these three points."

The Chelsea manager felt this first defeat in 19 matches was the net result of claiming the title three games ago, as Saido Berahino scored on nine minutes and added a penalty two minutes after the break before Brunt scored a third on the hour.

"The ideal scenario is to be champions and don't play again, go home and have holidays," he said.

"It is difficult to play. Let's blame the players a bit, myself and the top contenders for the title as they were not good enough to fight with us. This is a consequence of being champions so early."

West Brom manager Tony Pulis insisted that any criticism of Chelsea was unwarranted.

"It's a great finish, we will finish 13th in the table but I don't think anything should be taken away from the team we played," he said.

"The team we've played have been by far the best team in England. They have won the league by a country mile and they have been much better than anyone else."

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