Fernando Torres deserved to see red – André Villas-Boas

Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas admitted Fernando Torres deserved to be sent off for his two-footed lunge on Mark Gower in the Blues’ 4-1 win over Swansea City on Saturday.

The Spain striker opened the scoring for the Londoners with a well-taken finish after being found by Juan Mata’s pass in the 29th minute – but was then shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on the Swansea midfielder five minutes before half-time.

Goals either side of the break for Ramires and late strike for returning forward Didier Drogba made the points safe for Villas-Boas’s men, with Ashley Williams grabbing a consolation for the visitors.

But although the Chelsea boss was pleased with his side’s hard-fought display at Stamford Bridge, he conceded referee Mike Dean made the right call in sending Torres off.

“It was a good performance,” said Villas-Boas. “The first goal was important because it unlocked us more spaces to try to penetrate Swansea’s defence, which in the beginning was very tight and very well organised. The first goal managed to open them a little bit.

“On the sending off I have nothing to say. It looks a good decision by the referee.”

He added: “I think with 10 men we never lost out will to continue to attack and it’s a good scoreline for us.”

The Spanish forward will receive an automatic three-game ban for being sent off, ruling him out of Chelsea’s games against Bolton, Everton and Queens Park Rangers.