Everton Upset by Mourinho’s Dive Jive

By: Bob | December 18th, 2006

A couple of predictable things have occurred after another exciting weekend of English Premier League football. There is once again talk of diving and once again the comments of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho have led to hurt feelings. The dive in question took place during Chelsea’s 3-2 win against Everton when the Toffees striker Andrew Johnson took to the ground in the box.

This acrobatic move, shown in the video below, left Mourinho a bit irate on the sidelines and in usual form in his post-match press comments.

The Blues boss said: “I was not happy but I was not complaining to the ref, I was complaining to the player.

“Back home in Portugal we have a philosophy to call players intelligent when they do something like that. But I have been influenced by the new culture in England and I like it.

“When a player chases a penalty here that is not intelligent. To be polite, Johnson is a dangerous player you cannot trust. He looked a bit embarrassed after that.”

This bit of politeness is not sitting well with those in the Everton camp. The club issued the following statement today:

“To publicly question the integrity of a player of Andrew’s professionalism and honesty is not only wholly unacceptable and quite possibly defamatory but also, in our opinion, highly damaging for both club and player,” Everton said in a statement.

You would think that Everton would be more concerned with something other than Mourinho’s mind games like helping Andy Van Der Meyde install a new alarm system at his home, but the club has taken Mourinho’s bait hook, line and sinker. When I look at the video I don’t see a dive, but rather a player trying to avoid colliding with a keeper. Mourinho is not the first to publicly question Johnson’s propensity for going down in the box, but as always seems to be the case his words rub people the wrong way and give us all something to read about during those dark days when there are no matches.

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Category: English Premier League

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Luis

Hah...Mourinho is such an opportunist. Boy, if we get this much drama every time somebody goes down in the box in the EPL, then I'm buying box seats and dumping my theater tickets.
Sam

Not to be a Mourinho advocate, but come on, put yourself in his shoes, that was a pathetically blatant dive. I fully agree he's irrational and whatnot, but nobody's safe in the diving world. I mean, soccer.
Nick

Err, Jose... is there not a Portugese word for "hypocrite"? Please shut up - we don't want to hear your verbal diarrhea anymore.
Chris

Mourinho's been whining on for weeks about Petr Cech and Cudicini getting hurt in challenges, now Johnson jumps out of the way, he's a diver though he never appeals for a penalty.

Jose should look at his own team, especially Drogba. Great striker, fantastic goalscorer and the biggest cheat playing in the Premiership. Keeps the imaginary sniper busy all game long and constantly try's to get opposing players carded. That's how Mourinho won the Champions League and UEFA Cup with Porto so I doubt he'll stop coaching his players to do it.
Sam

Hey, can't blame Jose, Johnson just leaped over the keeper. No way there was a penalty.
skint

If Jose and everybody else looks closely, Johnson didn't dive he was pushed - a light push at that but a push nonetheless and to go on further Johnson did well to clear Hilario like he did.

Jose needs to see the evidence from all sides b4 venting his displeasure to the media at the 1st opportunity!!