Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas backs Fernando Torres after red card
Andre Villas-Boas has insisted Fernando Torres had 'nothing to apologise for' despite the striker pressing the self-destruct button for the second straight week in Chelsea's Barclays Premier League win over Swansea.[LNB]Sunday's defeat at Manchester United had seen ?50million man Torres score for only the second time in his Blues career before producing one of the worst open-goal gaffes in Premier League history.[LNB]And he found the net today with another fine finish before being sent off for inexplicably diving in studs first on Mark Gower.[LNB] Marching orders: Torres is shown a straight red for his studs-up challenge[LNB]Chelsea boss Villas-Boas had no complaints with referee Mike Dean's decision to brandish the red card but revealed he would not be seeking an apology from his player.[LNB]'There's nothing to apologise for,' Villas-Boas said. 'It's the referee's decision.'[LNB]Admitting it was a 'good decision' by Dean, he added: 'It's part of thenature of the game, and the referee has decided on that.[LNB]'It's a pity because the spectacle was promising.'[LNB]Torres' dismissal did not prove costly, with Chelsea running out 4-1 winners at Stamford Bridge to get their title challenge back on track after their controversial defeat against United.[LNB] Crunch moment: Torres fells Gower and is then asked to leave the field of play[LNB] [LNB] Crunch moment: Torres fells Gower and is then asked to leave the field of play[LNB]'With 10 men, we never lost our will to continue to attack and I think it paidoff,' said Villas-Boas, whose side also played for more than 70 minutes ofWednesday night's Carling Cup win over Fulham a man short.[LNB]'It was an important win for us based on the last defeat at Old Trafford andshowing resilience in the end again after Wednesday.'[LNB]He added: 'It really shows the nature and commitment of these players towards their objectives.'[LNB]Chelsea were already 2-0 up when Torres saw red, Ramires scoring the first of a double as the 10 men more than held on.[LNB] Mixed emotions: Torres' day started well, with another goal for the Blues[LNB] Mixed emotions: Torres' day started well, with another goal for the Blues[LNB]Ashley Williams nodded in his first ever Premier League goal for Swansea before Didier Drogba netted his first of the season after marking his comeback from a sickening head injury with an 11-minute cameo.[LNB]The other major talking point today was Villas-Boas' decision to start withFrank Lampard on the bench for the second successive game.[LNB]The midfielder did come on and play most of the Fulham match but it appears, at 33, he is being held back more than ever for the big fixtures.[LNB]Asked if Lampard was happy with his lot, Villas-Boas replied: 'I don't know but this is nothing to speculate about.[LNB]'The players just want the team to perform and Frank is like that. He's a magnificent player and soon he'll be back into the team, sooner thanyou expect.'[LNB] Manager's backing: Villas-Boas gives his striker a comforting pat after seeing red[LNB][LNB]
