GOAL

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he blames himself for the champions' 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues slumped to their second Premier League loss of the season thanks to Joel Ward’s winner after Radamel Falcao had equalised Bakary Sako’s opener.

The result leaves Chelsea eight points behind Manchester City after just four games and Mourinho says he must take his share of the blame for the result.

"I cannot say I had 11 players at the same time performing. To be fair, two or three of them, individual performances were far from good,” he told reporters.

"I blame myself for not changing one of them, because I kept him in the game for 90 minutes. When I made the third change, I realised I needed a fourth."

“If a player is not performing, there are two ways: trust the player and wait for improve, or... have to change. I can go both."

Mourinho did, however, take time out to praise Crystal Palace with Alan Pardew’s side having now taken nine points from their opening four games.

“The first thought is for Palace. They come with everything. Team ready, players ready, fans ready, fantastic spirit,” added the Chelsea boss.

“They were lucky, but they deserved a lot. I think we deserved more, but not deserved to win.

“Finally, the referee, with a big mistake, a clear penalty with the result at 0-0."