Mourinho learns but will not change

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho yesterday vowed not to change his personality after his Carling Cup final dismissal — but promised there would be no repeat of the controversial “silence” gesture.

Mourinho was sent from the dugout during his side's extra-time victory over Liverpool at Cardiff's Millennium stadium last weekend after pressing his finger to his lips after Steven Gerrard's own-goal equaliser.

The Portuguese manager's actions sparked outrage from the Reds fans, but Mourinho later claimed the gesture was aimed at the English media in the opposite stand.

The Football Association decided not to punish Mourinho for his misdemeanour but reminded him of his responsibilities instead.

However, the Chelsea manager maintained yesterday that, while he promised not to repeat the controversial gesture, he would not change his outspoken personality or his beliefs. And to underline his point, he yet again decreed his side were on course to lift the Premiership title. The Chelsea manager said: "it is not about my personality. I keep my personality, I don't change it. I am trying to understand what is possible and what is not.

"I know I cannot do that gesture in England. If I do it, the police come and put me in the dressing room and because I don't want to go to the dressing room again, I cannot do it. It is as simple as that what I can do and what I can't do.

"When I am looking at extra-time on a TV and sending messages on paper to my dug-out, at that moment I feel I cannot do it again because the police will put me out. Maybe it is the first time that somebody behaves like me or is not afraid to say what he feels and thinks. If somebody says we are going to be champions if this is lack of respect or humility to others then I have to try and understand it.

"In this way I don't change. I just change in matters that are purely forbidden. When I show my confidence, I don't think it is something crazy. If, at the end of the season, we don't win the Premiership then you can say I was over-confident."

Chelsea go to Norwich today with a six-point lead over nearest rivals Man United. Alex Ferguson's side can halve that deficit for a brief time if they can overcome struggling Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park earlier in the day.

But even though the gap has narrowed, Mourinho believes his side can still afford the luxury of the odd slip-up on the title run-in.

Mourinho added: "we have six points more than the second team and a game in hand. We can go to seven or nine or keep the six-point gap. Our position is the best one. Nobody has such a good position to win the Premiership. Our confidence doesn't change because we have won the Carling Cup. "The Premiership is full of surprises. Sometimes you drop points where you don't expect to. The game against Norwich will be a difficult one. But our situation gives us space to make mistakes not many. Not three or four consecutive mistakes but we have a little space to make the odd one."

Mourinho also applauded Norwich director Delia Smith for her half-time rallying call to the fans against Manchester City on Monday night. The Chelsea boss may even break with tradition and hand her a bottle of

Portuguese wine after the game. "Sometimes, I would like to do what she did because I always feel that crowds can help the team. The lady did it because she was trying to help her team. I cannot criticise. I only take a bottle of wine for managers but why not take one for her this time?"

Chelsea are without William Gallas as the defender is still troubled by the groin injury he sustained in the FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Newcastle.

Norwich manager Nigel Worthington will wait as long as possible for Darren Huckerby to prove he is fit. The pacy 28-year-old missed the defeat against his old club Manchester City with a calf strain but could be back to face the leaders at Carrow Road.

Worthington must also decide whether to stick with Jason Shackell in central defence or recall either Gary Doherty or Simon Charlton. Mattias Jonson is suspended while Thomas Helveg (calf), plus Mathias Svensson, David Bentley and Ryan Jarvis (all knee) are still unavailable.