Jose Mourinho slams new campaign against Chelsea following Diego Costa controversy against Liverpool

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has leapt to the defence of Diego Costa following a string of controversial incidents in the win against Liverpool – claiming there is a campaign on television led by a 'certain pundit' against the Blues.

Costa appeared to stamp on Emre Can's ankle in the first half and also went unpunished following a similar incident with Martin Skrtel.

The Spanish striker was also involved in a clash with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as the Blues booked their place in the League Cup final with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

When quizzed on the incidents after the game, Mourinho railed against Costa's critics.

"I don't know what you understand by stamp. I think maybe you are already influenced by... I'm going to use a word which puts me in trouble but I think this time I cannot be punished to say that there is a campaign on the television with a certain pundit that is saying Diego Costa (commits) 'crimes'. This guy must be nuts," Mourinho told a post-match press conference.

Costa was the centre of attention throughout the game at Stamford Bridge and was unlucky not to win a penalty for his side following a clumsy challenge from Skrtel in the first half.

""I saw the incidents. About the penalty, I don't speak. I prefer not to speak. If I comment I will be in trouble and I don't want to be," Mourinho added.

"What you call stamps and Sky calls crimes, I have to say (are) absolutely accidental. He goes to the ball, he chases the ball, as the opponent is on the floor, they have a contact, he puts his foot there when he's looking to the ball. Great campaign. We know how much that pundit loves Chelsea and particularly loves me."

The Chelsea manager was also quick to praise his squad after they improved on a poor first-half performance to win the game in extra time through Branislav Ivanovic's winner and book their place in the final.

"The difficult moment arrived in the first half. We coped with the difficult moment. Liverpool were better than us but we coped with it and we waited for the right time to be in control of the game. That moment arrive in the second half. We were then dominant, we should have scored but Mignolet was amazing."

"Chelsea supporters were fantastic. They were great. The victory is for them. They were fantastic. Let's go to Wembley."