REFEREE Michael Oliver will make the decision on whether Diego Costa should be charged with violent conduct over either of his two apparent stamps during Chelsea's 1-0 win against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup.

The English FA is aware of the controversy at the match and is waiting for Oliver's report.

Oliver will be asked by the FA whether he or any of the officials saw the incident and, if they did not, then to judge from video replays whether either of the incidents were straight red-card offences.

If the referee believes either was a red-card offence, then the Spain international will be charged with violent conduct and dealt with under the fast-track system.

It would mean that if he is found guilty, any three-match ban would see Costa miss Chelsea's game against title rivals Manchester City on Saturday night and the matches against Everton and Aston Villa - and there is no right of appeal.

It is understood, however, that it is unlikely he will face two violent conduct charges.

As the Capital One Cup is a Football League competition, the disciplinary process differs slightly from a Premier League match where a three-man panel of former referees would decide whether he should be charged.

Costa was accused by Liverpool of stamping on Emre Can at Stamford Bridge and then a further stamp on Martin Skrtel.

Jose Mourinho insisted both incidents were "accidental", and criticised Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers after an ill-tempered, frenetic clash.

Chelsea will play either Tottenham or Sheffield United in the March 1 final after a header from Branislav Ivanovic in the fourth minute of extra time earned a 1-0 win and a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Costa was involved in three of the game's main talking points - the stamps and a Chelsea penalty appeal when tripped by Skrtel.

Mourinho railed against Costa's critics, one unnamed television pundit in particular, who is understood to be former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp.

"There is a campaign on the television with a certain pundit that is saying Diego Costa 'crimes'. This guy must be nuts," Mourinho said.

"I saw the incidents. About the penalty, I don't speak. I prefer not to speak. If I comment I will be in trouble and I don't want to be.

"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."

Mourinho declined to name the pundit, who he said has "to be fair and they have to be honest".

"I don't know his name, because when I see him I switch off the television," Mourinho added. "Forget it. Let's go to Wembley. Come on."

Rodgers said: "Costa's an outstanding player, an outstanding footballer. He has this edge to him. With Emre Can, that was poor, I felt. He could easily hurdle over the young player and he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could've been nasty. And again the one with Martin Skrtel. There's no need to do it."

Tempers frayed in the technical areas as Mourinho and Rodgers confronted each other.

Rodgers, who thought Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was the difference in the tie, played down the incident - "there's no problem," he said - but Mourinho hinted at animosity towards his former protege.

Mourinho, who saw Courtois save well from Alberto Moreno and Philippe Coutinho in the first half, added: "He worked in Chelsea in my time for a few years. I don't know if he learned something with me or not. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't.

"He is what he is. He is a fantastic manager, but we are different people."

Ivanovic suffered a cut foot and Filipe Luis (calf) and Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) were substituted due to injury, making them doubts for Saturday's showdown with City.