Roberto Di Matteo: Clattenburg & Chelsea racism row not to blame

The Blues conceded an 88th-minute
equaliser against the Swans.
But Di Matteo said the club's complaint
to the Football Association for alleged
"inappropriate language" aimed at John
Mikel Obi by Clattenburg had no
impact.
"I wouldn't read anything into what has
happened and the result," he said.
"It is very difficult to win away from
home in the Premier League.
"We have certainly felt tired this week
after the two games with Manchester
United, including extra-time."
Chelsea seemed certain to end a
troubled week with a victory at the
Liberty Stadium thanks to a second-half
Victor Moses header, but Pablo
Hernandez's late strike denied them
victory and knocked off top spot in the
Premier League table.
Clattenburg is alleged to have used an
offensive racial term during Sunday's
3-2 defeat against Manchester United.
But Di Matteo refused to blame the
controversy that has engulfed Stamford
Bridge since that game, and praised the
performance of the officials in their
latest fixture.
"Talking about the football is how it's
supposed to be week in, week out.
Everyone would like it to be this way,
including me," he added.
"I've got to say the officials were very
good. Kevin Friend did very well in the
game to keep both teams calm and let
the game flow. He didn't have any
influence on the game. I congratulated
him after the game because they were
very good.
"I didn't speak to the players before the
game about the referee. Generally our
team is very good [with officials]. There
has to be something really out of the
ordinary for them to react. In general,
we are a fair team.
"It would have been great to finish off
the week with a 1-0 victory. The
disappointment is we have conceded a
late equaliser.
"I thought we had more of the game
and clearer chances than Swansea.
When the opposition equalises so late
on then you tend to think it's a bit lucky.
"They didn't have any real clear
chances, but they scored a quality goal.
This is our second away draw of the
season - we have won the rest of the
games.
"It's a long season and it is going to
stay very tight at the top. There are a
few teams fighting for that. We are in
touch and we are going to show how
strong we are in the future."