Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hits out at referee over "big mistake"

Jose Mourinho has claimed that referee Craig Pawson made a "big mistake" by not awarding Chelsea a penalty during this afternoon's 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Mourinho's 100th Premier League game at Stamford Bridge was soured as Joel Ward headed home an 81st-minute winner to stun the champions.

At 0-0, Blues defender Kurt Zouma had his shirt tugged by Connor Wickham in the first half, with Pawson not entertaining penalty appeals, and the Portuguese says that the official got it wrong.

"The referee did a big mistake. Clear penalty with the result 0-0 and obviously with influence in the result," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"The one with Zouma that I watch at half time on television. It was a clear penalty. But I prefer to go in this order, when I say Crystal Palace first."

Bakary Sako's opener on 65 minutes was negated by Radamel Falcao, whose header - his first goal for Chelsea - was cancelled out by Ward moments later.

Consequence of the defeat, Chelsea already find themselves eight points behind Manchester City, who have won maximum points from their four games.