Mourinho may escape FA ban

Jose Mourinho appears likely to escape Football Association sanctions for claiming Chelsea are the victims of a clear campaign after referee Anthony Taylor booked Cesc Fabregas for diving.

Mourinho was adamant the Premier League leaders should have had a potentially match-defining penalty early in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton, when Fabregas went down under pressure from Matt Targett. Instead of a spot-kick, however, referee Taylor deemed it a dive and booked the infuriated Spanish midfielder — part of a what Mourinho believes is a growing movement against his side.

The Chelsea boss watched his words carefully, though, and is expected to escape disciplinary action.