Grant blasts ref Dean
24 Sep 2007 - 11:37:44
New Chelsea boss Avram Grant was unhappy with several controversial refereeing decisions as he lost his first game in charge of the Blues following Jose Mourinho's departure 2-0 at Manchester United.
John Obi Mikel was dismissed in the 32nd minute before Carlos Tevez gave United the lead in the third minute of first-half stoppage time after the referee had indicated only two extra minutes would be played.
Grant was also unhappy when Tal Ben Haim's challenge on Louis Saha led to United winning a late penalty from which Saha added the second goal.
Grant said: "We were playing well until Mikel was sent off and the game changed then.
"It seemed the wrong decision and it was also wrong that United scored in the third minute of injury time when the referee said there would only be two.
"But I have been happy with the support of the players. I have only been with them for three days and as a manager I am happy.
"I saw in the game and at the hotel, the players are more than OK and are trying to do their best on and off the pitch.
"The only thing we can do is to work hard to put the team in the place they deserve to be. Chelsea have a good team but it is easy to say.
"With everything that has happened, I'm happy with the way they have behaved.
"It was a shock to everyone, including me, but they have responded well."