Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea woes compounded by Stamford Bridge injustice...but surprisingly they didn't blame referee
If Chelsea are to retain the Premier League title they need to win games when they are not playing at their best. [LNB]Saturday's match against Everton was a perfect example of that and the last thing the under-performing champions needed was the referee costing them a victory - however undeserved.[LNB]There were three major decisions, all going against Chelsea and the fact that they did not round on the hapless Lee Probert was either testament to their new found professionalism or an indication that this is currently a squad without belief.[LNB] Flashpoint: John Terry and Tim Cahill clash after the Australian star's challenge on Petr Cech [LNB]Firstly Tim Howard was allowed to escape with a yellow card after bringing down Nicolas Anelka and denying him a clear and obvious goal scoring opportunity.[LNB] If Probert felt that Howard could not get out of the way of Anelka who was clean through on goal then he should have waved play on. Once the penalty was given the red card should have followed.[LNB] More from Graham Poll... Graham Poll: Victim of an Old Firm coin throwing.. but finally Dallas is beaten28/11/10 Graham Poll: Why referees must put up a fight - just like they have in Scotland25/11/10 Graham Poll: No way Jose! Madrid have previous when it comes to bookings24/11/10 Graham Poll: Arsene right to blast ref! Arsenal should have had penalty23/11/10 Graham Poll: Refs thrive under scrutiny in Premier League's house of horrors22/11/10 Graham Poll: Modric and Bentley didn't dive and shouldn't have been booked14/11/10 Graham Poll: Fabregas and Dempsey should have seen red like Essien11/11/10 Graham Poll: No, Mr Pulis... relegating referees is such a crazy idea08/11/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Next up was Tim Cahill's challenge on Petr Cech. With Everton reduced to nine men, it is hard to see anything other than a home win. [LNB]Even playing against 11, Chelsea were still leading 1-0 when a searching deep cross from the right appeared to be heading for Ashley Cole when he was brought down by Seamus Coleman. [LNB]It was clearly a foul and therefore another penalty which Probert either missed or saw nothing untoward. [LNB]While it would have been harsh to give Coleman a straight red for denying a goal scoring opportunity, with Cole not in control of the ball, the fact that he had already seen yellow should have resulted in another red card and a penalty.[LNB]Of course had Probert sent Howard off then the game would have changed and the Cahill and Coleman incidents may well not have happened and so Everton would probably not have been reduced to eight players. [LNB] Controversy: This collision between Nicolas Anelka and Tim Howard saw Chelsea awarded a first-half penalty[LNB]Whichever way you look at it Chelsea were hard done by on Saturday but Carlo Ancelotti made nothing of it. How refreshing when a team fails to win they refuse to blame the match officials and it would be nice to see this throughout the League. [LNB]However, I think this is more indicative of a team playing without confidence being managed by a man uncertain of his future rather than signs of respect finally reaching Stamford Bridge.[LNB]GOOD WEEK FOR... Roy Keane BAD WEEK FOR... Roy Keane The Ipswich manager really is having a tough time at Portman Road but maybe felt that his season was turning around when his team beat West Bromwich Albion to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals.[LNB] However, despite taking the lead against high-flying Swansea City they found themselves trailing 2-1 when Carlos Edwards was brought down for an obvious penalty in the 85th minute. [LNB]Referee Andy D'Urso refused to award Ipswich the chance for an equaliser and to add insult to injury Swansea scored straight away with a magnificent strike from Craig Beattie. [LNB] Under pressure: Ipswich manager Roy Keane is feeling the heat [LNB]One couldn't help but remember the infamous incident back in January 2000 when Keane bullied D'Urso to the touchline at Old Trafford. [LNB]Was this perhaps, in a freezing week, a case of revenge being a dish best served cold? [LNB]Of course not as referees would never make such a decision deliberately; however, it would be incredibly ironic if D'Urso's decision and Keane's first ever time of losing five consecutive League games, led to the manager's dismissal?[LNB] I hope not as I have always liked the influential Irishman but fate works in mysterious ways.[LNB] Chelsea 1 Everton 1: Beckford strikes late as Ancelotti grills 'scared' starsIpswich 1 Swansea 3: Carling Cup run may not save under-fire Roy Keane[LNB][LNB] Explore more:People: Craig Beattie, Graham Poll, Roy Keane, Ashley Cole, Tim Cahill, Nicolas Anelka, Carlos Edwards, Carlo Ancelotti
