Graphic: Rosenborg v Chelsea

With his understated manner and deadpan delivery, Avram Grant has styled himself as the antithesis of José Mourinho, although they share a similar attitude towards referees. In an outburst yesterday worthy of his fiery predecessor, the Chelsea first-team coach defended his team’s right to question match officials after the club were charged with failing to control their players in the wake of Michael Essien’s sending-off against Derby County on Saturday.

To compound a day of disciplinary disappointment for the West London club, the FA also upheld Essien’s red card at Pride Park, ensuring that he will be suspended for three Barclays Premier League matches, including the London derby against Arsenal on Sunday, December 16.

It is the second time that Chelsea have been charged with failing to control their players in Grant’s two-month reign, with the club paying a £30,000 fine last week for threatening behaviour towards Mike Dean, the referee, after John Obi Mikel’s sending-off in the 2-0 defeat by Manchester United in September. As at Old Trafford, John Terry led the charge on Saturday, with five of his team-mates also surrounding Andre Marriner to protest at Essien’s sending-off for pushing Kenny Miller in the face.

However, Grant is unrepentant and is considering writing to the FA to outline his grievances. Chelsea have until December 12 to respond to the latest charge, although another fine is likely. “I don’t blame the players for questioning the referee as the decision was unfair,” Grant said. “They did it in the right way, going to the referee. For 30 seconds they said something and then the game continued. They didn’t do anything wrong. I’m thinking about speaking to the FA, but I want to do it in a positive way.

“Even the red card against us at Old Trafford, the first person who came to the referee was a Manchester United player. On Saturday, if you see, it was a Derby player who went to the referee before us. I think these things are too easy against Chelsea and we need to do something about it.”

Chelsea’s disciplinary record has worsened since Grant took charge, with players collecting three red cards in eight league matches under his stewardship as opposed to none in six matches under Mourinho at the start of the season. The Israeli is adamant that his men are being persecuted, insisting that Mikel, Essien and Didier Drogba did not deserve to be sent off.

“I’ve been looking at all the red cards in the Premier League but don’t know why we’re being targeted,” Grant said. “I see other matches where the same things happen with other players and they don’t get a red card.

“The hand on the whistle is too easy against us. The red card at Man United was not a red, the red card against Fulham for Didier was not a red card and the red card against Essien was not a red card. In the other two games it cost us points , which is not fair.”

Chelsea have had no such problems in Europe, with Mikel and Essien (twice) the only players to have been booked in four Champions League matches this season. Essien will make his final appearance before suspension against Rosenborg in a match thatshould bring the return of Drogba from a knee injury, with the visiting team seeking a win to put them through to the knockout phase.

Having taken a point from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and beaten Valencia home and away, Rosenborg are the surprise package of this season’s competition, but Grant is looking towards greater glories. “Chelsea have not even been in the final, so this is our target,” he said. “It is not easy, there are many good clubs, but we can do it. I won’t say we are better than any big club in Europe, but we’re not worse.”

Grant also took the opportunity to enhance his credentials by referring to the 1-1 draw in September, the trigger for Mourinho's departure. “There’s been a big difference since the last Rosenborg game, when half the stadium was empty and the fans booed the players at half-time,” Grant said. “The team is much better than two months ago. We play better football, create more chances, pass the ball well and are patient when we need to be. With the way I see football, we’re on the right way.”