Everton boss Roberto Martinez: 'Chelsea tried to influence referee'

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has claimed that Chelsea players tried to influence the referee during their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.

Willian secured a 1-0 victory for the hosts with a late strike, moments after Gareth Barry was sent off for picking up a second yellow card for tripping up the Chelsea midfielder.

The foul prompted a fracas involving several players form both sides, with Blues defender Branislav Ivanovic appearing to headbutt Everton midfielder James McCarthy.

"If you look at the images, Ivanovic's behaviour is wrong. That shouldn't be allowed," Martinez told ESPN. "He grabs James McCarthy around his neck in a very forceful manner, then he puts his head against him when James McCarthy never reacted one single bit.

"If you want to be on top of the laws that's a red card. We got nothing out of that moment.

"It is very clear what the home team are trying to do is influence the referee. Every time there is a challenge, it feels as if the weight of the world is on the referee's shoulders and he has to act."

Chelsea sit seven points clear at the top of the table following the victory.