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Chelsea hit by triple whammy of Costa stamp charge, Fabregas injury and Mourinho fine

Football

By Mirror | Jan 29, 2015

Chelsea striker Diego Costa. PHOTO / AFP

LONDON: Jose Mourinho has been hit with a triple whammy 72 hours before Saturday's title showdown with champions Manchester City.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been charged with violent conduct after his apparent stamp on Liverpool's Emre Can during Tuesday's match at Stamford Bridge, which is likely to earn him a three-match ban.

Earlier in the day, Chelsea boss Mourinho was handed a £25,000 fine over his comments after the Southampton game on December 28 that there was a referees' "campaign" against his Blues.

And the club also fear playmaker Cesc Fabregas will miss the City clash after damaging his hamstring against Liverpool.

Chelsea are sweating on scan results that will reveal the extent of the damage.

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It is a serious blow for Mourinho, who will be fuming after the FA confirmed a charge against Costa following a feisty Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Referee Michael Oliver admitted he did not see the incident with Can, agreed to review it and deemed that it was a red card offence. Costa has until 6pm on Thursday to respond.

The issue is likely to be rushed through to a commission on Friday, where Spain international Costa is almost certain to be hammered with a three-match ban that would be a victory for the FA's new fast-track disciplinary system but a blow for Chelsea.

Oliver also studied another alleged Costa stamp on Martin Skrtel from Tuesday's match, but deemed it was not conclusive that he had intentionally stamped on the Liverpool defender.

Costa, Chelsea's top scorer this season, stands to miss the massive match against City, plus meetings with Aston Villa and Everton - a major blow to Mourinho's title ambitions.

The club also fear that Fabregas could be missing from Saturday evening's game between leaders Chelsea and second-placed City, while full-back Filipe Luis is a doubt with a calf problem.

Mourinho claimed on Tuesday night that Fabregas' 50th minute substitution was a precaution, but it is clear that it could be worse.

It may increase the chances of Mourinho moving into the transfer market as Borussia Dortmund step up their efforts to sign Andre Schurrle, with Wolfsburg also keen. Mohamed Salah is also available.

Chelsea are trying to sign Fiorentina's £30m-rated wide-man Juan Cuadrado, which would bolster a squad facing a major challenge with the potential lay-off of their leading goal-getter.

Meanwhile, Oliver's bizarre handshake as he booked Chelsea match-winner Branislav Ivanovic - which became an internet hit on Wednesday - and Mourinho confronting fourth official Phil Dowd are unlikely to be taken any further.

The FA are also unlikely to take action against Skrtel's hand gestures after the game.