More moaning from Mourinho

SOCCER:Jose Mourinho's unrivalled ability to fall out with opposition managers resurfaced yesterday in a row with David Moyes about whether Andrew Johnson had dived to try to win a penalty during Chelsea's 3-2 win at Everton.

The managers had a heated exchange on the touchline and the hostilities continued after a game that could have a significant effect on the title race.

Mourinho had been incensed by a first-half incident when Johnson hurtled into the penalty area and went down at full speed between the challenge of the Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz and the goalkeeper Hilario. Furiously gesticulating that a yellow card should be shown, Mourinho had to be restrained by the fourth official, Russell Booth. Mourinho then suggested Johnson was a serial diver who was "dangerous" to opponents because of the way he "chased penalties".

His criticisms drew a withering response from Moyes, who seemed to suggest to Mourinho on the touchline that he should wear spectacles. Moyes insisted that Johnson had done nothing wrong and he accused Mourinho of double standards, pointing out that, in Didier Drogba, "he had a big, powerful, 15st striker who was quite partial to it (diving) himself".

Moyes also cited the incident when Reading's Stephen Hunt had collided with Petr Cech when Chelsea played at the Madejski Stadium. "There was a big complaint (from Chelsea) back then because a player had gone into their goalkeeper," he said. "Our player jumped over the goalkeeper, he fell down, got straight back up and didn't appeal. Now make your mind up. Is he supposed to jump in on the goalkeeper when, a few weeks ago, that was what people were complaining about? I don't think it was a penalty - but it certainly wasn't a dive."

It is not the first time Moyes has had to defend Johnson from diving allegations, but an unapologetic Mourinho insisted he had a right to be aggrieved.

"In Portugal, our culture is to call someone like that an 'intelligent' player," he said. "In your culture, you use other words and you are very critical. This is my third year in England and I have been influenced by my new culture.

"It is a culture I admire. I am proud to be part of it. So, when a player chases a penalty, he is not the intelligent player I would have called him a few years ago. If I want to be polite, I would call him a dangerous kind of opponent. You cannot trust him and I was not happy.

"I think he felt a bit embarrassed, because after that he behaved very well."

Mourinho's complaints were so forcibly made on the touchline it is possible the English FA will look into his behaviour. A policeman felt it necessary to lecture the Chelsea assistant manager, Steve Clarke, and the authorities are unlikely to be impressed with Mourinho's waving of an imaginary yellow card at a time when they are urging referees to book players who act in such a manner.

Chelsea were not at their best but Mourinho said: "If you can't play great music, at least play some."

Guardian Service