You knew the rules, Mourinho

Chelsea labelled football's new quick free-kick rule as "clear as mud" today as the row over Thierry Henry's controversial goal at Highbury yesterday raged on.

Blues manager Jose Mourinho was furious, calling the 2-2 draw with Arsenal an "unfair result" and questioning the legitimacy of Henry's second goal. Mourinho said he was "unhappy" that referee Graham Poll allowed the Frenchman to take the free-kick when Chelsea's players weren't ready.

But Standard Sport can reveal that Mourinho and Chelsea officials received a private briefing on the rule change in the summer - from Poll himself. It is understood Poll explained that from the start of the season, the laws of the game allowed players to take a free-kick immediately or wait while the opposition prepared a wall.

Mourinho claimed, however, that the preseason presentation left him with the impression that a free-kick could not be taken unless the defending side were ready.

He said: "In pre-season we had a top referee at Harlington with a screen, projector and presentation and an explanation of the rules, so there is no doubt about it. One of the things he explained was walls, distance, whistle. All was clear. Today nothing." Mourinho stopped short of launching an all-out attack on Poll and the rules but showed his frustration when he said: "I cannot say the word that is in my heart and soul. If I speak about it, maybe I'd have to go to the Football Association and be sent to the stands for a few weeks or pay a large fine - and I should like to keep my money for Christmas presents."

But the club made their feelings known on Chelsea's official website. It said: "Jose Mourinho was furious at Graham Poll's role in Thierry Henry's second goal - one of those quickly taken free-kicks that seems to exploit a rule that is as clear as mud."