Chelsea boss Avram Grant was left fuming after Michael Essien's dismissal in their 2-0 defeat of Derby County.

The Blues moved up to fourth in the Barclays Premier League after a 2-0 win over Derby at Pride Park courtesy of goals in either half from Salomon Kalou and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

However, the win was overshadowed when Essien was shown a straight red card in injury time for flailing an arm in the face of Rams striker Kenny Miller.

Grant was far from happy with the decision as he said: "I don't like to speak against a referee.

"I have not done it many times in my life and I don't want to do it now, especially as he is a first-year referee in the Premier League.

"I don't want to say something against him but I have a feeling - and I was warned about this before I came to Chelsea and I fear it's true - that we are an easy target for getting red cards.

"It happened against Manchester United and Fulham this season and in both of those games we lost points, yet everybody saw they were not red cards, and today was the same.

"So I don't like the idea that we are an easy target. Everybody needs to think about."

Grant, though, was embarrassed as it was pointed out to him that referee Andre Marriner is in fact a third-year official, while replays clearly showed 75th-minute substitute Essien looking towards Miller before swinging his arm.

"I don't know if you know but with the uniform (team kit) today there are no pockets - nobody can put their hands in their pockets," retorted Grant.

"Sometimes when you put your hand out like this (indicating a push), I don't think it's a red card."

When asked whether he would appeal, Grant replied, "We need to see it again but basically I think we will do it.

"Again I don't want to say anything against the decision before I see it again but I am sure we are an easy target. It's not the first time."