Chelsea are today expected to appeal against the red card shown to Nemanja Matic against Burnley in the hope he will be cleared to play in the Capital One Cup Final.

The Serbia midfielder reacted furiously to a shocking tackle from Ashley Barnes, which manager Jose Mourinho labelled “criminal” during a forthright appearance on Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday.

Chelsea are hopeful the red card from Saturday’s 1-1 draw will be overturned given the extreme provocation as well as the fact Matic made contact with Barnes’s chest, rather than his head.

The Blues have until 1pm tomorrow to submit their evidence to the FA and the case will then go before an independent three person disciplinary commission before Chelsea’s final against Tottenham on Sunday.

If Chelsea’s appeal is unsuccessful, Mourinho faces a midfield crisis for the Wembley showpiece.

Back-up defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel has “no chance” of recovering from a knee injury in time to play against Spurs which leaves the Chelsea manager desperately short of options. Ramires is now set to start alongside Cesc Fabregas in front of the back four.

There will be little cover on the bench, with inexperienced youngsters Nathan Ake and Ruben Loftus-Cheek likely to be in the squad.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admits the potential loss of Matic for the final would be a major blow but does not blame his team-mate for confronting Barnes.

He said: “It will be a difficult game against Tottenham and Nemanja has been very good for us this season so it is a pity [if] he cannot play in the final.

“But, of course, we have other players who need to do the job also. They are strong players so I don’t think it will be huge problem.

“The red card changed the dynamic of the game. The images are clear. It was an emotional reaction. Maybe you think at that moment that someone can break your leg.

“Unfortunately he got a red card after that, but if you get a tackle like that, you can understand everything.”

Chelsea were leading 1-0 when Matic was ordered off but had failed to take advantage of their superior possession.

Courtois says the team must share the blame for dropping two crucial points in the title race.

Chelsea v Burnley - player ratings 5 show all Chelsea v Burnley - player ratings 1/5 Branislav Ivanovic: 8 The right-back now has four goals in his last six games – a superb finish and excellent again. 8. GETTY 2/5 Kurt Zouma: 7 Gets better with each performance, Gary Cahill’s days are looking numbered. 7 3/5 Juan Cuadrado: 5 Showed flashes of his pace and quality before being replaced after an hour but needs more time to gel with his new team-mates. 5 Getty 4/5 Oscar: 5 Showed some nice touches from time to time but too often drifts in and out of the game. 5 Getty 5/5 Ramires: 5 Came on for Oscar after Matic was sent off but was beaten to Ben Mee for the Burnley goal. 5 Getty 1/5 Branislav Ivanovic: 8 The right-back now has four goals in his last six games – a superb finish and excellent again. 8. GETTY 2/5 Kurt Zouma: 7 Gets better with each performance, Gary Cahill’s days are looking numbered. 7 3/5 Juan Cuadrado: 5 Showed flashes of his pace and quality before being replaced after an hour but needs more time to gel with his new team-mates. 5 Getty 4/5 Oscar: 5 Showed some nice touches from time to time but too often drifts in and out of the game. 5 Getty 5/5 Ramires: 5 Came on for Oscar after Matic was sent off but was beaten to Ben Mee for the Burnley goal. 5 Getty

“If we had been 2-0 or 3-0 up, the red card would not have been as big of a problem because you can play more defensive,” said Courtois. “With the [score at] 1-0 it was difficult and at 1-1 we tried to score.

“It was not our best game of the season. It’s a pity but we have to continue.”

Meanwhile, it is understood the Chelsea board are supportive of Mourinho’s comment about Barnes and referees on Sky programme Goals on Sunday yesterday.