Essien wasn't hooked over early error, insists Mourinho
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Michael Essien wasnt hooked as punishment for error, insists Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho insisted he was not annoyed with Michael Essien for his mistake which led to Southamptons goal, claiming he only took the midfielder off to stop him getting a red card on his return to Chelseas Premier League starting line-up.
Essien, who was making his first Premier League start for Chelsea since May 2012, gave away the ball for Jay Rodriguezs goal after 13 seconds and was off the pace in a first half where he was booked for diving.
Mourinho replaced the Ghana midfielder at half-time, insisting he did so only to safeguard against a potential dismissal.
Everybody makes a mistake, Mourinho added.
Strikers they miss goals, goalkeepers they make mistakes, midfield players, they lose balls, especially when they try to play. And he tried to play. It was a back pass and they scored the goal.
He had a very normal performance. He played a part in the stability the team had in the first half, but one yellow card for 45 minutes is a long time.
I had to take one off and it was a very normal decision. Essien is Essien, hes my man, hes a Chelsea man and no problem, because other guys they make mistakes.
Jose Mourinho insisted he was not annoyed with Michael Essien for his mistake which led to Southamptons goal, claiming he only took the midfielder off to stop him getting a red card on his return to Chelseas Premier League starting line-up.
Essien, who was making his first Premier League start for Chelsea since May 2012, gave away the ball for Jay Rodriguezs goal after 13 seconds and was off the pace in a first half where he was booked for diving.
Mourinho replaced the Ghana midfielder at half-time, insisting he did so only to safeguard against a potential dismissal.
Everybody makes a mistake, Mourinho added.
Strikers they miss goals, goalkeepers they make mistakes, midfield players, they lose balls, especially when they try to play. And he tried to play. It was a back pass and they scored the goal.
He had a very normal performance. He played a part in the stability the team had in the first half, but one yellow card for 45 minutes is a long time.
I had to take one off and it was a very normal decision. Essien is Essien, hes my man, hes a Chelsea man and no problem, because other guys they make mistakes.
