Antonio Conte: David Luiz was fouled before he saw red
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ByEurosport
Updated 18/09/2017 at 07:32 GMT
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte believes David Luiz was fouled before being sent off in Sunday's goalless draw with Arsenal.
A red card for David Luiz.
Image credit: Eurosport
Luiz was shown a straight red card late on by referee Michael Oliver for a poor challenge on Sead Kolasinac which saw both benches rise to their feet.
The Brazil defender, who had earlier been booked for catching Laurent Koscielny with an attempted overhead kick, now faces a three-match suspension which would include the Premier League visit of Manchester City.
Conte reckons Luiz was fouled by Alexis Sanchez prior to the challenge which saw him dismissed three minutes from time.
It's very important to see what happened before the David Luiz tackle. For sure there was a foul. The referee has to use the whistle. If he stops the play before I think it (wouldn't) happen.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger felt it was the correct decision to dismiss Luiz.
"It was excessive force, yes. I think Kolasinac was not completely on his feet," Wenger said. "Even Luiz will accept there was a big distance and he went in too strong."
Chelsea may yet appeal against the length of the suspension, which will also see Luiz miss Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash with Nottingham Forest and next Saturday's league trip to Stoke.
The Blues have now received five red cards in their last eight games, including May's FA Cup final loss to Arsenal, with four of those this season.
Conte said Chelsea must work on their disciplinary record, like other aspects of the game, and require more good fortune - in avoiding dismissals and in opponents being sent off.
The Italian said: "I hope to be more lucky with the referee's decision, for us and also for the opponent. Sometimes the opponent deserves a red card and instead they continue to play with 11 men."
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at Stamford Bridge
Image credit: Reuters
Eden Hazard made a third straight substitute appearance and is set for his first Chelsea start of the season against Forest, Conte said.
Pedro is likely to miss out with an ankle problem which saw him substituted at half-time, but his replacement Tiemoue Bakayoko enhanced Chelsea's midfield.
Conte insisted he was pleased with the performance of striker Alvaro Morata.
Sometimes we are focused if a number nine, a striker, scores or not. My vision is different. My vision must be total and I'm really happy with his performance.
Chelsea had scored in their previous 23 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge but were held by an Arsenal team which ended a five-match losing streak at the home of their rivals.
The Gunners might have won at Chelsea for the first time since October 2011 but Alexandre Lacazette shot wide after Aaron Ramsey had hit the post.
It was a far better performance than the 4-0 loss at Liverpool, though.
Wenger said: "You have only one way to respond, on the pitch. That's what we did. It was vital for us, even above the result, to come out with a solid performance."
Danny Welbeck suffered a groin injury which could make him doubtful for Wednesday's Doncaster clash.
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