José Mourinho ramps up Chelsea’s siege mentality amid Diego Costa row | David Hytner

The Portuguese appears to have consigned his Happy One persona to the past and gone back to type in defending a striker who embodies Chelsea’s defiance

• Diego Costa charged over stamp on Emre Can

The touch paper had long since been torched. Diego Costa had seen to that. But it was the final, perceived slight of Tuesday night that cut the deepest for the Chelsea coaching staff. They had been giddy on adrenaline and euphoria after the frantic Capital One Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge when they turned their attention to the Sky Sports post-match analysis.

It was the caption, in their opinion, that delivered the insult: “Diego Costa crimes.” It was printed on the screen as the footage was played of the Chelsea striker’s naughty moments and the pundit Jamie Redknapp offered his thoughts. The Chelsea coaches spluttered with indignation and so the Chinese whispers began.

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via Chelsea | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1JJ7q0o