English Premier League: Mourinho taunts Arsenal after fiery draw

Gunners frustrated by Chelsea’s defensive tactics in goalless stalemate

LONDON: Jose Mourinho accused Arsenal of ‘crying’ about decisions that went against them after Chelsea bullied their way to a fiery 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Mourinho’s side subjected Arsenal to some ferocious challenges as they hassled the Gunners out of their stride in Monday’s bruising London derby.

John Obi Mikel was fortunate to avoid a red card after the Chelsea midfielder crunched into Mikel Arteta, while Arsenal also complained they should have had a penalty for Willian’s challenge on Theo Walcott.

There were several other bone-jarring tackles that left Arsenal players writhing in agony, and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger seething on the touchline.

But Chelsea manager Mourinho refused to apologise for his team’s no-holds-barred approach and instead took the opportunity to get one more dig in on old rival Wenger and his players.

“They like to cry, that’s tradition,” said Mourinho. “Football is for men, or for women with fantastic attitude.

“Football is a game of contact. English football, winter, water on the pitch, the sliding tackles come at a fantastic speed. So play with pride.”

As well as having to contend with Chelsea’s aggressive tactics, Arsenal were also trapped in Mourinho’s tactical straitjacket.

The Portuguese coach has never lost to Wenger in 10 meetings and this rarely looked like being the first defeat as his 4-5-1 formation stifled the life out of an already anxious Arsenal.

Second placed Arsenal have now gone four matches without a win in all competitions and, after leading the Premier League for much of the season, they have been replaced at the top by Liverpool.

Yet Wenger said he remains certain Arsenal have the character to win the title.

“We’re going through a patch where it’s a bit more difficult, but part of a successful season is how you deal with that,” he said. “The spirit of the players is unbelievably focused. There’s a great desire.”

Tottenham appoint Sherwood as head coach

Tim Sherwood was on Monday appointed head coach of Tottenham with a contract to the end of the 2014-2015 season, the club announced.

“Following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, the Club can announce that Tim Sherwood has been appointed Head Coach with a contract to the end of the 2014-15 season,” said a club statement.

Sherwood, who had been named as interim coach after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked, oversaw a 3-2 over Southampton on Sunday.

“We were extremely reluctant to make a change mid-season, but felt we had to do so in the club’s best interests,” said Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

“We are in the fortunate position of having within our club a talented coach in Tim Sherwood. We believe Tim has both the knowledge and the drive to take the squad forward.”