Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink said here was no room for doubt about Per Mertesacker’s sending-off in the Blues’ 1-0 win at Arsenal.
The Gunners skipper was red-carded for bringing down Diego Costa as the striker, who later scored the winning goal, attempted to latch on to Willian’s pass.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose team would have gone top of the table had they won, suggested the dismissal was “harsh”.
But Hiddink said: “There’s no doubt. It was a beautiful through pass and a red card without any discussion.”
Chelsea’s win lifted them to 13th in the table and continued their encouraging recent form under Hiddink – leading captain John Terry to insist they can still finish in the top four.
“If the captain says yes then we follow the captain,” Hiddink said.
“There is a gap – and you see how competitive all the teams are in the Premier League. But if my captain says it, we follow our captain.”
The Dutchman added: “I’m very pleased with the attitude of the team and with the way the team tried to play.
“We were not just reactive, but proactive, and showed the ambition to go forward in the first half against an opponent that is very skilful and even when one man down always has the ability to surprise.
“The only thing you can criticise is that we didn’t go for the kill and make it 2-0. But I’m very pleased.”
This post was last modified on 25/01/2016