Jose Mourinho criticised referee Martin Atkinson in the wake of Chelsea’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.

The Special One has never won at St James’ Park and it looked like another loss would be added to his Tyneside record when the Magpies took a commanding lead.

Ayoze Perez broke the deadlock after some sloppy Kurt Zouma defending and showed good composure to finish beyond Asmir Begovic.

And when Georginio Wijnaldum doubled the advantage it looked as though the points were secure.

However, super-subs Ramires and Willian came off the bench to rescue a share of the spoils for the Premier League champions.

Chelsea boss Mourinho claimed he knew it would be no more than a solitary point for the Blues given the man in the middle’s tendency to slow down the contest.

Chelsea's stalemate with Newcastle in pictures:

Mourinho said of the performance: “In the first half, from zero to 10 I give it minus one. In the second half we played very well. Ramires and Willian moved the game and arrived in dangerous positions. They gave us an intensity Newcastle couldn’t cope with.

“When we scored the second goal I knew it would be difficult to win the game because I knew what Newcastle want from that period and I know what kind of referee Mr Atkinson is; stops the game, gives time, speaks too much, long conversations with players.

“The players tried and I’m very happy with the second half. I have to try to understand why one team can play so bad in one half and so well in another. The first half was so bad. In every aspect of the game we were bad. Too many poor individual performances.

“They [Newcastle United] did nothing to be winning but they were and with the 2-0 I moved the team and the team responded well. We got a point, it’s not what we want but it’s not bad. It’s a difficult place to win.”

Branislav Ivanovic, who has come under fire from some quarters of the Chelsea support this term, admitted the Blues had found it tough.

Ramires (2nd R) of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal
Back in it: Ramires of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal

But he was also pleased with the second-half reaction and reckons more of that fighting spirit in future matches will help them get back at the top end of the table.

He added: “It was a difficult day. We know how difficult these games can be.

“We didn’t start well but in the second half we dominated and played better. In the end, we had a couple of chances to score a third but at the end of the day we have to play the rest of the season like that second half.

“Everyone knows how difficult this Premier League will be. Every team is difficult to play.

“We expect a lot of interesting results. It’s getting harder and harder and that’s why we have to show character to win games and be on top.”