
Everton
boss Roberto Martinez felt Branislav Ivanovic should have been dismissed
during their last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Tempers flared in the closing stages when Gareth Barry tripped Willian,
earning a second yellow card, before Ivanovic motioned his head towards
James McCarthy in the resulting fracas.
The Everton substitute was booked for his part in the melee, but Ivanovic
avoided censure from referee Jonathan Moss and could face retrospective
action from the Football Association.
The Spaniard said: "If you look at the images Ivanovic's behaviour is wrong.
That shouldn't be allowed.
"He grabs James McCarthy around his neck in a very forceful manner, then he
puts his head against him when James McCarthy never reacted one single bit.
"If you want to be on top of the laws that's a red card. We got nothing out
of that moment."
The resulting free-kick led to the decisive goal and Ivanovic was involved.
His header was punched out unconvincingly by Toffees goalkeeper Tim Howard
to Willian, who struck home.
Martinez added: "If you want to analyse that action (when it leads to the
goal) it's even more hurtful."
And Martinez rued returning to Merseyside beaten after conceding such a late
goal.
"The performance didn't deserve to end up with a negative result," he said.
"We produced probably the two best chances in the game. Petr Cech's reflexes
were the difference."