Andre Villas-Boas was not happy with the ‘pushing and shoving’ of Stoke City’s players as Chelsea began the Premier League season with a draw.
The former Porto boss took charge in the English league for the first time at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday but, despite Fernando Torres looking far sharper than at any time in his Blues career to date, they were held to a 0-0 draw by a resolute and sometimes dangerous Stoke side.
But the new Blues boss was vexed by what he described as ‘out of this world’ manhandling of his men by their opponents, telling Sky Sports: "A point I want to make when you are playing difficult games like this one is the amount of pushing and grabbing in the box, because it's out of this world.
"We are okay to deal with Stoke's set plays and we were competent enough to avoid the dangers they cause. We know the amount of goals they score with these set plays. But I think there's a limit to the pushing and grabbing, it makes it impossible.
"Referees say these are the sort of details they are going to be aware of. It's difficult because they have to be aware of a number of situations but in this case maybe the referee needs some extra help.
"But there are no excuses because we were competent enough to defend those set plays, but it's a pity that it was happening.”
He added on the stalemate: "I can't be pleased with a point but it's one of the most difficult grounds to play at. For our title challenge I would say one point at Stoke is not bad.
"It's not the greatest start to the Premier League of course, but we are happy we raised the level of the game in the second half.
"Unfortunately for us the goal didn't happen. We were close and we had the possession we wanted and we played in their half, the game looked more in our control, but I'm happy we were able to raise our level.
"It means against these kind of teams you are able to find space and create opportunities. Now we have to raise our game again for the two home games we have (coming up against West Brom and Norwich)."
Villas-Boas’ Stoke counterpart Tony Pulis expects the Blues to challenge all the way to regain the Premier League title, and admits his side were second best after the break on Sunday.
He said: "The first half I thought we gave as good as we got then second half they got a foothold in the game and it was there for everybody to see they quality they've got and the depth they've got, when you see Anelka, Drogba and (Yossi) Benayoun coming off the bench.
"They've got the squad to do well - they'll be in the top three again this year."
Getting a point was marred for Stoke, however, by injuries to Matthew Etherington (shoulder) and Rory Delap (hamstring), with both midfielders set for assessment by the club’s medical staff.