I was right! Burnley draw supports ‘campaign against Chelsea’ claims, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho claims the host of referee oversights during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Burnley supports his belief of a “clear campaign” against the Premier League leaders.

The Blues allowed title rivals Manchester City to close the gap at the top to just five points after being held by the struggling Clarets at Stamford Bridge.

Branislav Ivanovic scored his sixth goal of the season to put the hosts in front before a late Ben Mee header saw relegation-threatened Burnley come away with a point, but it is the sending off of Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic which is sure to dominate the headlines.

The Serb was shown straight red after pushing Ashley Barnes to the ground in response to a nasty one-footed lunge from the forward, who incredibly escaped unpunished.

It was just one of the incidents highlighted by Mourinho following the game, as he launched a thinly-veiled attack on referee Martin Atkinson’s performance.

And the Blues boss believes the ongoing decisions against his side proves he was right in claims made in January over a campaign by "people, pundits, commentators and coaches from other teams".

"Have I seen a run of decisions like this? I don't remember,” Mourinho said.

“I'm happy that I'm not stupid and I understood everything a couple of months ago. I'm not in the mood to laugh.

"If this story that started a couple of months ago finished today with 12 matches to play with an advantage of five points, I'd tell you we will be champions. But I don't know if the story ends here, or if there is more waiting for us."

Mourinho, mindful of avoiding another run-in with authorities, chose his words carefully as he criticised Atkinson for the Matic incident as well as rejecting penalty appeals when Michael Kightly handed the ball in the 33rd minute and Jason Shackell barged over Diego Costa in the 43rd minute.

"This game had four crucial moments - minutes 30, 33, 43 and 69. This is the story of this game. I can't comment because it's difficult for me to not say the truth," Mourinho added.

"I'm making it easy for you because if you look at these moments you know exactly what I think about the game.

"What happened to Matic was in minute 69 and minute 69 had a big relationship with minute 30 because normally that player, if I can call him a player, should have been in the shower in minute 31.

"There wouldn't have been a minute 69 if the person in charge had dealt with minute 30 properly."

When asked about Barnes' tackle, Mourinho replied: "I'll leave it with you. I'd prefer not to call it because if I call it I'm going to use some words...

"A couple of weeks ago when I was here in the press conference after the Liverpool game in the Capital One Cup, the television subtitles had gone on and on about Diego's crimes. Well compare Diego's crimes with what happened against Burnley."