Jose Mourinho unhappy with referee following draw against United

In news that will surprise precisely nobody, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was not impressed with the officiating in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

In particular, the Portuguese bench boss was perplexed by referee Phil Dowd's decision to award a late free kick to United for a foul by Branislav Ivanovic on Angel Di Maria - a decision that surprisingly resulted in the Serbian receiving his second yellow card of the contest.

The whole point likely would have been moot, but the Red Devils equalized from the ensuing set piece, with Robin van Persie scoring in the 94th minute to secure a draw.

Mourinho, always one to refer to controversial decisions in a roundabout way, was in typical form during the post-match press conference.

"The red card, I could see it coming," he said. "If I have to speak about the second yellow I have to speak about lots of things - the penalty that Ivanovic should have been given, the accumulation of yellow cards, the throw-ins. I know I speak always with my heart and get in trouble."

As is customary for players and managers in the Premier League, the final whistle sees them greeted by an immediate interview just inside the tunnel on the way to the locker room. Mourinho referenced those quick interviews during his post-match press conference.

"I have come from the flash interviews. I did five, and in all five the first question was my comments on the referee."

"I told them no comment - because when five ask the same thing I don't need to answer."

"I prefer just to say that in my opinion, from where I was and reading the game, my feeling is that we had a good first half and a fantastic second half."

"To come here and play the way we did and not to be happy with the point -- because we are not - shows clearly how good we were and how well we are playing at this moment."

Mourinho saved his best for last, though, when asked about the fact that title challengers Manchester City also dropped points this weekend, losing 2-1 to West Ham. The results leave Chelsea four points clear of Southampton at the top of the table - and six points ahead of City, who are third.

"I prefer to be in front rather than behind, obviously, because you have a little space for your mistakes - or for the referees' mistakes."