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Blues' Essien appeal fails

27/11/2007

Chelsea have failed in their appeal against the red card shown to Michael Essien towards the end of the match against Derby County on Saturday.

The Blues lodged a protest to the Ghanaian midfielder's sending off yesterday, after he received his marching orders for an apparent swipe to the face of Rams striker Kenny Miller in the close stages of the game.

Referee Andre Marriner deemed the challenge violent conduct and dismissed him, although the decision has been questioned by team-mates and pundits alike.

"We are not happy with the decision on Michael Essien," said winger Joe Cole, who was himself a second-half substitute.

"From what I saw, it did not look like he really got him.

"He does that every day in training - it is just the way he is. He does not mean to hurt anyone, he just plays hard. We all know how strong he is and he is not a nasty player.

"It is a big blow to lose him for a suspension now, because we have got a lot of tough games coming up and it is going to be tough without him."

The appeal's failure is significant for Chelsea, who could now be without the talented Essien for the next two and a half months.

He is set to miss the next three Premier League games because of the automatic suspension relating to the offence and he will also be called up to Ghana's squad for the African Nations Cup, which takes place in January and February next year.

Among the Premier League games Essien will miss due to his suspension is the vital trip to the Emirates Stadium when Chelsea play league leaders Arsenal on December 16th.