Ref right to show second card, says Mourinho
The Dutchman was dismissed after over-celebrating his decisive 69th-minute strike after being booked for a first-half foul as the Barclays Premiership leaders came from behind to see off a spirited Sunderland side.
Robben was devastated to receive his marching orders, but Mourinho, who offered him a consoling handshake as he left the pitch, said the official had no choice with the second yellow card, if believing the first was harsh.
"I don't like a yellow card when a player celebrates with the fans, but it's the rule and you have to adapt to it," he said.
"I think it would be easy for a referee to give one more minute extra time instead of the second yellow card. The player celebrates with the fans, it takes a little bit more time - instead of three minutes extra time, he gives four or five and it's done. But I think Foy did well because he did what the rule says he had to do.
"The first yellow card is not a yellow card - it was just in front of me - but again, referees can make these little mistakes, so of course I'm disappointed. But it's a chance for [Damien] Duff and Shaun Wright-Phillips to play the next game because Arjen will be suspended.
"Next time, he will not do it again. He will remember for [the rest of] his career. I'm happy with the result and the result is the most important thing for a football team."
The win - Hernan Crespo had cancelled out Liam Lawrence's 12th-minute opener before Dean Whitehead deflected Robben's shot past goalkeeper Kelvin Davis - took Chelsea 16 points clear of Manchester United, although Mourinho is taking nothing for granted.
"It's 16 from Manchester United, but Liverpool can get it down to 11 if they win the two matches they have to play," he said.
"And there are a lot of matches too. We are confident, we are strong, we will play when we have to play, we will fight when we have to fight like today, and I think we are in a very good situation. But in football, you have to go until mathematically it is over."
The league leaders now enjoy a 55-point gap over the side they left rooted to the foot of the table, but Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy was able to take plenty of positives out of a battling display.
"I'm sick we have lost, but pleased at the way we played and proud of the performance," he said.
"I guess it's indicative of where the two teams are that despite the fact that they had some chances and Kelvin played really well, it's a deflection that has won the game for them. I'm full of admiration for [the players] because I don't know any other group of players that could keep having the disappointments they have had, having played well, and just keep their heads up and keep going and keep fighting like they are doing.
"They can take a lot of credit for it. Individually, there have been some really good performances of late. It might prove to be a little bit too late, but for their own development and the development of the team if the worst does happen and we get relegated, the players will be better for it, no question."
Meanwhile, Mourinho confirmed he will be making no further signings during the January transfer window, but may be persuaded to allow one member of his squad to leave.
"It's open until the end of January, and until the end of January, anything can happen," he said.
"New players, no, but one player to leave and try to find a better situation until the end of the season is possible if - I repeat, if - the player is interested in that, not because we want it."
: Arjen Robben is the first Chelsea player to be sent off in the Mourinho era in the Premiership
Sunderland have scored more goals (5) in the opening 15 minutes of games this season than Chelsea (3)
: Davis, Hoyte, Breen, Caldwell, Danny Collins, Lawrence, Whitehead, Miller, Arca, Le Tallec (Gray 81), Stead (Murphy 81).
: Cech, Gallas, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Del Horno, Gudjohnsen (Huth 83), Makelele, Lampard, Joe Cole (Duff 63), Crespo (Carlton Cole 72), Robben.
: C Foy (Merseyside).
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