GOAL

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes says Jose Mourinho's mind-games are backfiring onChelsea.

The Portuguese has been at the heart of a number of controversies this season, ranging from his claims that there is a referees' 'campaign' against the Blues, for which he was fined by the Football Association, tomocking an unnamed Sky Sports pundit, believed to be Jamie Redknapp.

Mourinho's Chelsea sit top of the Premier League and lead Manchester City by five points, yet Scholes believes the 52-year-old's attempts to influence the officials is failing.

And while Scholes hailed Sir Alex Ferguson as a 'master' at gaining an advantage prior to United games, he feels Mourinho's less tactile approach has cost the west Londoners.

"I don’t know what reaction Mourinho expects from referees in saying what he has about them," he said. "If he had hoped that they would be more likely to give his team the split decisions then it has not worked. They seem to be determined not to be seen to be influenced by him."

Chelsea face Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday in a repeat of the 2008 League Cup final.