Mourinho slams Chelsea players, referee after Maribor draw

Jose Mourinho has criticized his players for a poor first half, after Chelsea drew 1-1 against Slovenian minnows Maribor on Wednesday.

The Blues went behind in the second half, but Nemanja Matic levelled from a corner-kick. Eden Hazard had the chance to win it for the English side, but his penalty was saved.

“The first half we were not good. We played very slow, with no intensity, no creativity. It was easy for Maribor to control the game,” Mourinho said.

“Many times surprises happen when people are not fully focused. When they believe the game can’t be a difficult one.

“It was only when Maribor scored that the players realised the game was in danger. After that we played magnificently and deserved to win.

“I was not successful in passing over the right message. If I cannot convince the players that the game is difficult and you have to play from minute one, obviously it’s my responsibility.”

Mourinho, who took Andre Schurrle and Willian off at the break, refused to blame Hazard, but took a dig at referee Orsato, who ruled out a Costa goal and failed to give a penalty for a foul on Oscar.

Orsato has twice sent off Mourinho while he was at Inter Milan.

“I have had situations with him before, but I don’t want to talk about it,” Mourinho said.

“We scored two goals, two very good goals. The second goal, the referee decided to disallow but it’s a clear goal.