The midfielder was sent off for retaliating to Ashley Barnes’s potentially leg-breaking challenge but people in the media, including experienced former international players, explained why the wrong person was punished yesterday.

Ex-England defender Gary Neville wrote on Twitter: ‘Matic completely entitled to react and not a red in context of what happened to him.’

Speaking on BBC Radio, former England winger Chris Waddle said: ‘It was a terrible challenge. It is the worst challenge in football, anybody who goes over the top, and it was high, it was a leg-breaker. Matic’s reaction was basically every player’s.

‘People who have never been booked like Gary Lineker would have retaliated to that because it was a shocking challenge.

‘It [Matic’s] was a quick reaction and I am not saying Ashley Barnes deliberately did it but it was a shocking challenge. People should analyse and say he [Matic] didn’t count to 10, he got to two possibly and he has reacted and those are the rules, but sometimes you should look at the rules and say that any player in the world would have done what he has done. I don’t think he deserved that red card.’

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson said: ‘The referee gets it all wrong. You have to use common sense, as Barnes could have broken Matic's leg and so the natural reaction is he’s going to get up and push him. And the referee did not even book Barnes, while he did caution Ivanovic for arguing.

'Surely the referee should not have seen it? But if he does, he has to send him off though. He had a terrible game, with two stonewall penalties missed as well.

'For me, I am not sure what you are meant to do and I think everyone in the world of football would have that sort of reaction, as you are going to be frustrated.’

David Walsh of the Sunday Times wrote: ‘Barnes’s outstretched right leg caught the Chelsea player high up on the right shin with his studs. It was the kind of tackle that nowadays draws a red card. The sending off changed the game.'

Matt Hughes of the Sunday Times wrote: ‘Barnes’ escape offended the principles of natural justice, particularly given subsequent events.’

Darren Lewis, of the Daily Mirror, wrote on Twitter: ‘Push from Matic is a reaction to almost having his leg broken. Instead of dismissing him the referee should have been protecting him. Tackle was shocking. I’d like to see the footballer who doesn’t react that angrily to almost having his leg broken.’

TalkSport reporter Ian Abrahams took to Twitter to say: ‘I think Jose Mourinho and Chelsea have every right to feel they are having more than their fair share of bad luck.’

On Match of the Day yesterday evening, pundits Alan Shearer and Robbie Savage had their say on the many decisions that went against us.