Ref Dowd latest target for flustered Jose

Jose Mourinho, who only a few days ago insisted there is a "campaign" against Chelsea to deny them penalties, was back on the warpath after his side were beaten 5-3 at Tottenham to lose control of top spot in the Premier League.

Formerly outright leaders, Chelsea are now only level with rivals Manchester City in the title race, sharing exactly the same points and goal difference; and this latest setback has inspired a new bout of paranoia from Mourinho which has left him convinced there is an agenda against his side.

On Saturday, Chelsea were denied victory at Southampton when Cesc Fabregas was denied a penalty and accused instead of diving, as several of his teammates have been in recent weeks. Now the Special One believes a crushing defeat at White Hart Lane had more to do with referee Phil Dowd’s decision not to award a penalty for a Jan Vertonghen handball when Chelsea were leading 1-0, than with the away team’s poor defending which saw them concede goals to Harry Kane (2), Danny Rose, Andros Townsend (penalty) and Nacer Chadli. A clearly flustered Mourinho when quizzed on the result said: “First of all I don’t want to be punished. I want to be here for the next match. I prefer to say just that we lost, and that tomorrow is another day. But there are things in the game that are becoming predictable. We had important Christmas gifts in the last few matches, gifts that people in love with football don’t like.