Paul Scholes Slams Jose Mourinho Chelsea Behaviour, Defends Diego Costa Stamp

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has criticised Jose Mourinho's behaviour in the Chelsea dugout, while leaping to the defence of the under-fire Diego Costa.

Chelsea's Capital One Cup semi-final win over Liverpool was littered with controversy on Tuesday. Mourinho—who complained about an unnamed Sky Sports pundit's alleged "campaign" against the Blues after the match, per Matt Barlow of the MailOnline—spent much of the encounter in frustrated conversation with fourth official Phil Dowd.

He appeared irritated with multiple decisions and ready to argue anything that went against his side. Scholes believes the Portuguese manager should stop being so emotional, reported in the former Red Devils star's column for the London Evening Standard:

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It is my view that Mourinho should stop doing it. His mithering of Dowd reached an extent when it would have been better all-round just to put the fourth official in the stand where he would get some peace to get on with his job of being the fourth pair of eyes among the officials. I have never seen the point of lambasting the fourth official as some kind of alternative to the referee out there on the pitch. After all, what can he do?

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Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Scholes also defended Costa, who appeared to stamp on Emre Can and Martin Skrtel during separate incidents in the Blues' win. The Spanish striker will contest the violent-conduct charge brought against him by the FA, per BBC Sport, but his actions have led to many criticising his style of play.

Perhaps humorously for a player who was famed for mistiming his tackles, Scholes doesn't agree with those slating Costa:

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I thought his actions were at the lower end of the scale of dangerous and that he was under extreme provocation from Martin Skrtel who has wound up before this season. My view of it was that Costa gets kicked a lot and actually his patience is to be admired in many, if not all, situations.

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Guardian Sport and BBC Sport provided images of Costa's incidents:

Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker believes it is difficult to ban the striker:

Ex-Liverpool striker Stan Collymore offered his thoughts:

Costa's play certainly sails close to what's legal, whether he intentionally meant to harm Can or Skrtel. He loves confrontation and is an expert at winding opponents up. This was seen time and time again during his previous spell with Atletico Madrid, so Premier League audiences shouldn't be surprised by his regular bookings.

Jon Super/Associated Press

He already has seven yellow cards in the English division, per WhoScored.com. This is an awful lot for a striker, with only Winston Reid, Gareth Barry and Lee Cattermole gaining more this campaign. Scholes produces an interesting argument though, suggesting Costa gives as good as he gets in the physical division.

Whether the FA agrees remains to be seen.

Both Mourinho and Costa are figures of self-produced controversy who often remain in the headlines even if they don't contribute to Chelsea winning a match. They are pivotal to the club's success, yet frustratingly willing to stand on the brink of causing trouble.