Chelsea FC

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Grant unlikely to appeal card

02 Mar 2008 - 12:11:06

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Chelsea boss Avram Grant suggested he would not appeal the red card shown to Frank Lampard during Saturday's 4-0 rout of West Ham United.

The England midfielder, who had earlier found the net against his former club from the penalty spot, was involved in a first-half spat with Hammers winger Luis Boa Morte for which he was shown a straight red card.

Lampard will now miss the Blues' next three domestic matches and afterwards Grant refused to condemn the decision of Peter Walton to issue a straight red card.

"The assistant referee said that Frank slapped the face of Boa Morte. If it is true, I think the rule is that it is a red card. If not, maybe someone else needs to get a red card," he said.

"I will wait to see it but if the assistant referee is right, it is a red card. I have not asked Frank about it."

Meanwhile, Grant was delighted with the overall performance after last weekend's disappointing Carling Cup Final defeat to Spurs.

Recalled trio Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole were also on the mark in a one-sided encounter at Upton Park.

"We played very well and used our chances in the first half. In the second half, we played with one man short but very cleverly," continued the Israeli.

"We controlled the game in the second half and they didn't create one chance really. We needed to play a little bit differently tactically and I think we did it very well.

"I think we have always been in the title race and we need to keep there."