Di Matteo: The referee heavily influenced the game

Roberto Di Matteo was left seething with the match officials about the decisions they made in Chelsea’s 3-2 home loss against Manchester United.

Mark Clattenburg sent Branislav Ivanovic with a straight red and Fernando Torres with a second yellow after booking him for diving. While Javier Hernandez appeared to be offside in the build up to United’s winning goal.

Di Matteo said: “The first sending-off was a little unlikely as Ivanovic clipped Ashley Young’s heel. Even down to ten I didn’t think we would lose this game.

“There’s clear contact from Evans who fouled Fernando, Evans confirms that as well. Before the referee [Clattenburg] makes such big decisions he has to be 100% sure. He made the wrong decision and the officials made the wrong decision on the decisive goal as well because Hernandez was in an offside position.

“You’re losing the game, you’re losing players, and the referee heavily influenced the game. They [the referees] will watch it tomorrow and realise they made a mistake.”

The Italian continued: “It’s a shame; the referee shouldn’t really influence the result of the game. Unfortunately he did today, against us and it always seems to be in favour of the opposition.

“Even when we were down to ten we probably could’ve have won the game. It becomes difficult when it’s nine against 11.”