Andre Villas-Boas: There is a new penalty rule

Andre Villas-Boas has said that a new penalty rule appears to be in operation in the Premier League.

The Chelsea manager was angered at Howard Webb's awarding of a Manchester United spot kick in last weekend's 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge, after Danny Welbeck appeared to deliberately make contact with Branislav Ivanovic.

Speaking to The Times, Villas-Boas joked: "I think there must be a new rule set out. "From two-footed tackles, now we have to set a new rule for a player standing out his leg on purpose against a defender, and clipping the defender on purpose to fall to win a penalty."

The Blues boss also referred to Adam Johnson, who won an almost identical penalty in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Fulham.

He added: "In the same weekend we had two incidents like that, from Adam Johnson and Welbeck. So that is a new rule for penalties - when the attacker purposefully sticks his foot out to dive for a penalty.

"If this action leads to a penalty, there must be a new rule set out for penalties to be given. Not only fouls from the defender - now it is attackers that have a right to get a penalty when they leave their foot out."

The Portuguese refused to vilify Welbeck or Johnson, calling them "smart".