JOIN USChelsea manager Jose Mourinho congratulated referee Mike Dean and the official's boss Mike Riley after a contentious penalty for Sunderland put a huge dent in the London club's Premier League title hopes on Saturday.
Mourinho refused to answer questions after his long unbeaten home league run was ended in a shock 2-1 defeat to bottom side Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, with the Chelsea boss choosing instead to make four points in his post-match news conference.
"I'm so sorry about it, but in quick four points I can say everything I want to say," Mourinho.
"The first point is to congratulate my players they did everything they could.
"They deserve that, sometimes we praise the players when we win. I think it is fair to praise my players after a defeat.
"Secondly, congratulations to Sunderland. It doesn't matter how or why, or in which way they won, but they won. They won the three points and three fantastic points for them.
"Third point, I want to congratulate (referee) Mike Dean. I think his performance was unbelievable and I think when referees have an unbelievable performance I think it is fair that managers credit them. He came here with one objective, the objective of a fantastic performance and he did that.
"Fourth, I think it is fair to congratulate (referees' chief) Mike Riley because he is the referees' boss and what they are doing all season is fantastic. Especially in the last couple of months. Especially in matches involving teams that are in the title race. It is absolutely fantastic."