AVB: Draw difficult to take

Chelsea news: Andre Villas-Boas rues 'strange' referee decisions

By Will Haine  February 06, 2012
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Villas-Boas left to rue Howard Webb's decisions. (©GettyImages)

Villas Boas left to rue Howard Webb's decisions. (©GettyImages)



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Andre Villas-Boas
Of course, it's not easy to take
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Andre Villas-Boas admitted to feeling deflated after watching is Chelsea side squander a three goal lead against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Blues had taken the lead in the first-half after David De Gea diverted a shot from Daniel Sturridge into the midriff of Jonny Evans and into his own net.

Almost instantly after the interval and Chelsea had doubled their advantage when Juan Mata smashed a pinpoint cross from Fernando Torres into the roof of the goal.



It was soon 3-0 when David Luiz headed in via the shoulder of Rio Ferdinand, before Wayne Rooney closed the gap from the penalty spot after Sturridge had felled Patrice Evra.

United were awarded another penalty 11 minutes later when Branislav Ivanovic appeared to trip Danny Welbeck, although the Serb was far from pleased with Howard Webb's decision.

Rooney made no mistake with the spot-kick once again, and Javier Hernandez haded a leveller with only six minutes remaining.

It was a hammer blow for Chelsea and their ambitions of closing the gap on the Barclays Premier League top three, and left Villas-Boas questioning the performance of the referee.

"Of course, it's not easy to take," the Blues boss told Sky Sports. "A game where we were very positive and had the initiative for most of it.

"It's a massive recovery for United. It'll feel like a win for them, of course. We had it in our hands and let it slip.

"There were some strange decisions today though. At Old Trafford we lost two goals that were offside and I see Sir Alex speaking about the linesman just after they recall him.

"These things just keep happening. The first one is a penalty and I agree with it. The second is very, very unlucky.

"I'm not sure if Howard is trying to compensate for something."

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