Twitter Reacts as Jose Mourinho-Less Chelsea Lose Again to Stoke

Chelsea traveled to Stoke on Saturday for the second time in 11 days—this time, without Jose Mourinho. The controversial manager was banned from the stadium after criticising referees following recent defeats to Southampton and West Ham. He instead had to watch the game from a hotel room. Or did he?

"

Jose Mourinho with the best possible seat for Stoke vs. Chelsea… #MourinhoOnTheMoon pic.twitter.com/hUtqMWcv1r

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 7, 2015"

Despite Mourinho's absence, the traveling fans continued to make clear their support for the under-fire manager:

"

The first chants of "Jose Mourinho" echo around The Britannia from Chelsea fans - met with, shall we say, disapproval from the home support.

— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) November 7, 2015"

"

Chelsea fans already singing for Jose as his name rings out around the ground

— ChelseaFansChannel (@ChelseaFansYT) November 7, 2015"

"

JOSE is always there! #JoseMourinho pic.twitter.com/uqBjzEv3OI

— Sophie Rose (@SophieRoseUTC) November 7, 2015"

"

Whoever thought of the Jose Mourinho masks is enjoying a very profitable evening? Almost set for action here at The Britannia Stadium.

— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) November 7, 2015"

Instead, managerial duties were left to Mourinho's team of assistants:

"

Need to know which of the Chelsea coaching staff is on 'mirthless cackle after a refereeing decision goes against them' duty.

— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) November 7, 2015"

Diego Costa's clash with Ryan Shawcross required some neutral interpretation:

"

Stoke & Chelsea seeing things slightly differently in the battle between Ryan Shawcross & Diego Costa 😂 pic.twitter.com/TU2n6xFOHK

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 7, 2015"

After a goalless first half, it was Stoke who took the lead, courtesy of Marko Arnautovic:

"

GOAL for Stoke City. Arnautovic makes it 1-0 on the rebound. Things go from bad to worse for Jose Mourinho. pic.twitter.com/ul4vLOoZwJ

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 7, 2015"

"

Comforting prospect that the mighty Jose Mourinho will finally experience the living hell of a Sky Go stream being 45 seconds behind Twitter

— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) November 6, 2015"

"

...and all his hopes and dreams being shattered and rendered futile by a simple "@MiguelDelaney: 1-0 ARNAUTOVIC"

— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) November 6, 2015"

Thoughts drifted to the potential scene in Mourinho's nearby hotel room:

"

Somewhere, in a Stoke hotel room, an angry man is putting a stand-up lamp through a generic piece of floral art.

— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) November 7, 2015"

"

Breaking news: A television has just been thrown out of a hotel window in Stoke!

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 7, 2015"

"

Jose's hotel room just been trashed...

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) November 7, 2015"

"

Live from Jose Mourinho's hotel room... pic.twitter.com/2EIbbRRet3

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) November 7, 2015"

"

Mourinho's hotel room not looking too good after that goal #STKCHE pic.twitter.com/1A2Xcwf9gL

— Unibet (@unibet) November 7, 2015"

"

Mourinho's hotel room right now pic.twitter.com/0iEQ0TIwpG

— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) November 7, 2015"

Chelsea trailed, but Mourinho wasn't there to change things:

"

Jose Mourinho calls room service and orders Fabregas and Oscar.

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) November 7, 2015"

The Blues searched for an equaliser, but Stoke held firm, leaving Chelsea just three points above the relegation zone after their seventh Premier League defeat of the season:

"

Looking up the table like… pic.twitter.com/U0iRZaYq8q

— Sean Swaby (@seanswaby) November 7, 2015"

[Twitter]