Jose Mourinho Defends Gary Cahill After Diving Claims

Jose Mourinho defended Gary Cahill in the wake of Steve Bruce's criticism of the England defender for an apparent dive in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Hull.

Bruce was furious with referee Chris Foy for his failure to punish Cahill – who had earlier been booked for a nasty foul on Sone Aluko – when he went to ground in the area early in the second half.

Foy was surrounded by Hull players but Mourinho was quick to defend Cahill despite admitting he had not enjoyed a very good view of the incident.

“I don't make (anything of) it because I didn't see it on TV and I was very far away,” said Mourinho, who became the fastest manager to reach 400 Premier League points with victory on Saturday.

“But I had this question before, from your colleagues on TV and radio, and I don't believe Cahill dived.

“And if you tell me I am wrong because he dived, something happened. Or they blocked his run. Or they touched. Or he lost balance.

“But that big, honest guy, I don't believe he dived in the opposition's box.”

Chelsea were not at their best in winning their eighth straight Premier League home game but Mourinho was pleased to see them respond well to losing their first league match of the season at Newcastle last weekend.

“We didn't play especially well, but we played well enough for everybody connected with Chelsea – supporters, players, staff – to be calm, because the game was always under control,” Mourinho added.

“We never felt really the game in risk, but I have to agree: we had already this season many special performances and today we just had moments of good football, moments of happiness and creativity and dynamism. Just moments. Not for 90 minutes.”

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