Ivanovic should've seen red

Cape Town - Roberto Martinez insists Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic should have been sent off for an incident with James McCarthy.

Everton were left with nothing to show from their spirited performance at Stamford Bridge.

Willian's 89th-minute strike from outside the penalty area flew past goalkeeper Tim Howard and ensure Chelsea remained on top of the league table with a comfortable seven point lead over defending champions, Manchester City.

It came shortly after Everton midfielder Gareth Barry was sent off for fouling Willian and receiving a second yellow card.

In the same melee, Branislav Ivanovic avoided any sanction for an apparent attempted headbutt on James McCarthy.

Martinez reflected on the two incidents by saying: “There is contact, football is a contact sport, but to give another yellow card is very harsh. The disappointment then is that you have a left-back running 25 yards to try to have his say around the referee.

“Nobody wants to see that. When you see the images, Ivanovic’s behaviour is wrong. He grabs James McCarthy around the neck in a very forceful manner and then pushes his head against him.

"James McCarthy didn’t react at all and if you want to be fair with the laws, then that is a red card (for Ivanovic)."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho cut short his post-match interview when asked about the discipline of his players.