Jose Mourinho could escape FA action following 'sarcastic' ref comments

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho could escape punishment from the Football Association, despite making comments about match official Mike Dean and referees' boss Mike Riley.

The Portuguese coach appeared to sarcastically congratulate the pair after his side's 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on Sunday.

The Black Cats were awarded a late second-half penalty, which Fabio Borini converted to end Mourinho's 77-game unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge.

The Football Association will assess the situation on Tuesday, but the former Real Madrid boss, who refused to answer any questions at his post-match press conference, could escape punishment as he did not out-and-out criticise the pair, according to The Express.

Chelsea are now five points behind league leaders Liverpool with three games left to play, the next of which is against the Reds at Anfield.