Mourinho makes peace with Benitez

Jose Mourinho admits he will never be close friends with Rafael Benitez but claims their feud is over.

Benitez and Mourinho shook hands before the kick-off as Chelsea and Liverpool clashed in the Barclays Premiership at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Michael Ballack was sent off for stamping but Didier Drogba’s goal gave the Blues a 1-0 win and the managers exchanged another handshake after the final whistle.

Mourinho said: “I would have preferred to do it in the tunnel where we could also have shared a few words but we didn’t have the chance.

“He wasn’t happy like I wasn’t happy with the previous period and now it’s over.

“We don’t have to be close friends. We don’t have the time to be close friends and we are two different sides fighting for the same objective.

“But we have a relationship of respect. I admire his qualities as a coach and I’m happy we shook hands.”

The relationship between the managers broke down as the teams were involved in a series of intense games over the last two years.

Liverpool and Chelsea have now played 12 times since Benitez and Mourinho came to England in 2004.

Benitez said: “We didn’t have passionate problems. It was a question of education.

“We needed to shake hands and give this message to the people.”

Mourinho had no complaints about Ballack’s red card for standing on Mohamed Sissoko’s knee in the 52nd minute.

But the Chelsea manager claimed Sissoko should already have been dismissed for a second yellow card, for a foul on Frank Lampard, in first-half stoppage time.

Referee Mike Riley gave a foul but decided not to show Sissoko a second yellow card.

Mourinho said: “It was a clear red card. Everybody who has seen it thinks the same and it kills the game.

“We are 1-0 up and play for 45 minutes with a player more. It’s a completely different game.

“But let’s give protection to Mike Riley. It wasn’t his day. He is a good referee and we don’t want to kill him.”

Mourinho insists he was not disappointed with Ballack for landing the team in trouble.

The Blues boss said: “He is not 20 years old. He has a long career and this is the first time he has seen a straight red card.

“He told me he didn’t go in to hurt the opponent but the rules are very clear. The red card is deserved.

“Ballack arrives late and the ball is not there any more. He stepped on Sissoko and it’s a red card.

“After that it’s 10 against 11 for a long time.”

Ballack waited outside the Liverpool dressing room to apologise to Sissoko after the game.

The German said: “I didn’t want to hurt him but I’ve seen it on TV and it doesn’t look good. I wanted to say sorry to him.”

Ballack will now be hit with a three-match ban and will miss the Premiership games against Fulham, Aston Villa and Reading.

He said: “It is the first straight red cad of my career. I have had two yellows before but never a straight red.

“I told Sissoko I have no problem with him at all.

“In the first half when he could have been sent off for a second yellow card I went to him and told him to calm down and be careful.”

Drogba scored his fourth of the season with a brilliant volley on the turn, three minutes before half-time.

Liverpool hit the bar through Dirk Kuyt and Blues keeper Petr Cech made vital saves from Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch to protect the win.

Mourinho said: “It was a time to win not a time to play beautiful football and score three or four.

“It was a time to get three points and the team showed unbelievable character.

“It was a fantastic goal and a fantastic victory.

“We showed unbelievable spirit and incredible desire to win the game and fight as a team.”