Robben: refs have it in for me

Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 0

This laboured victory put Chelsea 15 points ahead of Manchester United and also soothed the pain of their Champions League defeat to Barcelona. But the Londoners’ achievement was almost immediately clouded by their winger Arjen Robben’s claim that he is being singled out for unfair treatment by referees.

This is not the first time Chelsea have cried foul against the authorities. Last season, Mourinho accused Barca’s manager Frank Rijkaard of being in cahoots with the Swedish official Anders Frisk after his team’s acrimonious 2-1 defeat at the Nou Camp. Earlier this year, the Portuguese denounced Sky for their coverage of Michael Essien’s agricultural hack on Liverpool’s Didier Hamman, claiming the broadcasters were responsible for UEFA banning the Ghanian for two European matches.

Now Robben has alleged Premiership officials, influenced by his reputation for theatrics in the penalty area, are not treating him impartially. His gripe on Saturday centred on an incident just before half-time when his efforts to connect with a Shaun Wright-Phillips’ cross were impeded by a shove from Linvoy Primus. Robben howled for a penalty but referee Mike Riley was disinterested.

Robben said: “Everybody could see it was a penalty. I just wanted to put the ball in but got a push and went to the ground.

“I hope everybody gets treated the same by referees but I know that it doesn’t always happen in football.

“Everybody should be treated the same and that’s not happening always. I’ve doubted some decisions that have gone against me but it’s not just me, it’s all the players.”

Robben was clearly impeded by Primus, but if the 22-year-old is being victimised, the blame cannot simply be pinned on the officials.

The memory of Robben writhing on the ground after being flicked by the Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina’s glove is still fresh in the memory, and that is not the only occasion he has displayed his aptitude for exaggeration.

“I don’t read or hear everything but people can think what they want to think,” insisted Robben.

“Criticism is normal because I play for a big club like Chelsea and sometimes people are not fair in the way they look at Chelsea compared to other clubs.”

Sympathy will be in short supply, but Chelsea can console themselves with the knowledge that they already have a firm grip on their second consecutive Premiership title.

They were poor on Saturday, their tempo - at the start of the match, at least - lethargic and their midfield devoid of creativity.

Mourinho even signalled his displeasure by hauling off Asier Del Horno after 30 minutes, replacing him with Damien Duff. The Spaniard stalked down the tunnel without even glancing at his manager.

Stamford Bridge was growing restless when, in the 65th minute, Chelsea went ahead with their first move of genuine quality. Didier Drogba’s run scattered Pompey’s back-line and his pass was dummied by Eidur Gudjohnsen for Frank Lampard, arriving right on cue, to crunch in a low first-time shot.

Portsmouth should have equalised five minutes later when Richard Hughes headed wide of a gaping goal from six yards, but Robben’s clinical finish with 12 minutes remaining finally snuffed out their resistance.

Pompey manager Harry Redknapp was putting a brave face on his side’s sixth defeat in seven matches, and one which leaves their Premiership status hanging by the slenderest of threads.

“I’m not fed up yet,” he said. “It will be difficult but there are some big games coming up. We’ll fight on.”

Opta Fact: Pompey have never scored a Premiership goal against Chelsea and have conceded at least two in each of the six encounters.

Opta Fact: More of Chelsea’s league goals this season have been scored by midfielders than at any other club (32), while more of Portsmouth’s goals conceded have been scored by opposition midfielders than at any other club (21).