First-half display angers Mourinho

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho admitted his side were guilty of a dire first-half display in their 2-2 draw at Newcastle.

The visitors came back from two down to snatch a point with late goals from substitutes Ramires and Willian.

“It is a point. Better than to lose but I’m never happy when I don’t win matches,” Mourinho said. “In the first half, from zero to 10, we were minus one – it was that bad.

“I have to try to understand why they can play so bad in one half and so well in the other. We were bad in every aspect of the game. There were too many poor individual performances and as a consequence it was impossible to be a good competitive team.

“In the second half we played very well. Ramires and Willian moved the game, they brought more intensity, were much more dynamic. Newcastle could not cope with it.

“In the second half the team responded very well and we got a point, which is not what we want, but is not bad.”

Branislav Ivanovic, who has been criticised for his performances this season, admitted it had been another “difficult day” for the champions at St James’ Park.

“We always have bad results here,” added the Chelsea defender.

“We did not start well but we reacted and dominated. We have a couple of chances to win it but in the end we have to play all of our season like we did at the second half.”