Ancelotti unhappy with United protests

Carlo Ancelotti saw Chelsea go five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 1-0 win over Manchester United and then accused the visitors of trying to influence the referee.

In a stormy second half, Darren Fletcher waved an imaginary card at referee Martin Atkinson in an apparent attempt to get Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho dismissed for a tackle on Wayne Rooney. Carvalho had already been booked by Atkinson but Fletcher's attempt fell on deaf ears.

It was just one of a number of confrontations between the referee and players from both sides and Ancelotti said: "The Manchester players protested a lot. I don't know why. I don't like this. At the end of a very difficult match, all the players worked very hard - and sometimes it can happen."