Mourinho accuses Bournemouth of time-wasting,

Jose Mourinho has accused Bournemouth of time-wasting, with the Chelsea boss also questioning the referee in their 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

The Blues fell to an eighth Premier League defeat of the season – only Sunderland and Aston Villa have lost more – and their fourth at Stamford Bridge as Bournemouth secured a crucial 1-0 victory on Saturday.

Both sides had chances to strengthen their position but defeat leaves Chelsea in 14th, three points above the relegation zone and 14 behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Such a position has left Mourinho once again revising his targets for this season.

“Our objective is to finish top four,” said Mourinho.

“Before this game it was realistic to think that our quality would take us out of this position but maybe now we have to think about top six.

“I am concerned of course. There is no chance that Chelsea will be fighting relegation.”

But despite seeing his side fall to defeat once again, Mourinho believes Chelsea “didn’t deserve to lose”, and that Bournemouth’s time-wasting and the lackadaisical officiating was to blame.

“We didn’t deserve to lose,” the Portuguese said. “Our opponent – in the period that they thought only of defence – managed to get a goal and there was a clear mistake from the referee.

“I think it is a clear handball and penalty with the score at 0-0.

“They played in a way that some call intelligent, some say is not fair play. They were taking time, calling for the medical department and drinking water like it is a basketball timeout.”

Glenn Murray’s winner, 99 seconds after coming on as a substitute, had a touch of fortune about it, with the striker seemingly standing in an offside position as he headed home from two yards.

On the goal, Mourinho added: “If it was offside it is another episode that goes against us, but I did not see it.”

Mourinho did then address his under-performing players, adding: “If our players are not able to give the maximum every day that is a problem.

“If you analyse match after match there are a few players where it is difficult to be consistent. You think there is evolution, but maybe it is just one moment in which they are good.”