Chelsea boss Avram Grant says his players are right to be angry with ref Mark Halsey after yesterday's Carling Cup final defeat to Tottenham.

He was furious that a penalty was awarded for handball against Wayne Bridge on a linesman's advice after appeals by Spurs.

Boss Grant also rapped Halsey for blowing the final whistle with Salomon Kalou poised to shoot.

Even though Spurs were already celebrating and Kalou's shot hit a post, Grant moaned: "We're all upset because he stopped the match when Kalou was right in front of goal. How can he decide whether it's one or two seconds more?"

Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry all confronted the officials after the final whistle.

Grant added: "The players were angry and I can understand that.

"The penalty was a rash decision and it wasn't even the referee's. When the ball hits a hand it doesn't mean a penalty if it's an accident."