Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has leapt to the defence of Diego Costa, insisting that his star striker did not intentionally stamp on an opponent during last night's victory over Liverpool.

The 26-year-old appeared to tread on Emre Can and Martin Skrtel during the clash at Stamford Bridge, with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers suggesting that the Spain international was lucky to avoid seeing a red card.

However, Mourinho has hit back at Costa's critics, claiming that there is a personal vendetta against Chelsea after they booked their place in the League Cup final.

"I don't know what you understand by stamp," he is quoted as saying by BT Sport. "I think maybe you are already influenced by... I'm going to use a word which put me in trouble but I think this time I cannot be punished to say that there is a campaign on the television with a certain pundit that is saying Diego Costa 'crimes'.

"This guy must be nuts. I saw the incidents. What you call stamps and Sky calls crimes, I have to say absolutely accidental. He goes to the ball, he chases the ball, as the opponent is on the floor, they have a contact, he puts his foot there when he's looking to the ball. Great campaign. We know how much that pundit loves Chelsea and particularly loves me.

"When you are there and you are paid and you are very well paid - much more than some managers that have to put their ass, every 90 minutes, every weekend on the bench. These guys, they have a very good seat, very good money, no pressure. They are always right. They never lose, they always win, but they have to be fair and they have to be honest."

Chelsea will meet either Sheffield United or Tottenham Hotspur in the Wembley final, with the two sides set to do battle this evening.