Tottenham turned recent history on its head by defeating Chelsea, but Jose Mourinho proved last night that some things in football are even harder to change. It is common to find defeated managers turning their ire on referees and for Graham Poll to find himself at the centre of controversy, and Mourinho ensured the script was followed on both counts.

The Chelsea manager was angry with Poll for three decisions he felt influenced the outcome. Mourinho said it was "ridiculous" that John Terry was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Ledley King and that Didier Drogba had a header disallowed that would have put his team 2-0 ahead, and he believed Tottenham's Hossam Ghaly should have been sent off for elbowing Michael Essien.

Mourinho could not resist pointing out that this was the second time Poll has taken charge of a Chelsea game this season and that his side have won neither match.

Mourinho said Terry got a second caution here for fouling King as he tried to attack an Arjen Robben free-kick. Sky Sports reported that Poll told them the card was for that infringement, rather than Terry's shoulder barge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto straight after, in which case sympathy with Mourinho was possible.

Earlier Poll had blown for a foul by Terry on King before Drogba headed in a corner. He did not deem that worthy of a card.

"The disallowed Drogba goal, only he (Poll) can explain," Mourinho said. "It would have been 2-0. To show a red card to a player (Terry) for contact in the box when he was attacking was also ridiculous."

Mourinho added: "He sends off John Terry for holding Ledley King and keeps Ghaly on the pitch when he gives a clear elbow on Michael Essien's face. They have always an excuse. I have thought for a long time that referees should come to press conferences."

Tottenham's head coach Martin Jol was able to celebrate a first victory over one of the traditional top four two years after taking over. "It's an achievement," he said. "We had a couple of draws against Liverpool and Manchester United. We did well against Arsenal, the last away game (there) was 1-1, but everybody said: 'You have never beaten a top side,' and that was true."