Chelsea ace Frank Lampard has pleaded with English fans and media not to bury them over their Champions League fury on Wednesday night. Lampard said: "I can understand Didier's (Drogba) reactions. He's an emotional man. That's the sort of player you want to play with and I think people can relate to that.

"All the fans in the stadium were frustrated at the end and I don't think people should make too much out of that.

"We were trying to get to the final and when that gets taken away you get passionate about it."

Andres Iniesta's dramatic 93rd-minute leveller provided a sensational twist that floored Chelsea's stars.

Lamps added: "I don't know what people expect. When you have 11 grown men battling to get to the final and at least three penalty decisions don't go your way, you can't expect men to walk off quietly.

"There was nothing violent, it was just angry because we had worked so very hard to get this far.

"I tried to ask the question of the referee. One decision, maybe you don't get it, two maybe. Three, four or five then it's just not possible that you don't get them.

"It's not for me to say if it's a conspiracy but you have to wonder why. The ref didn't say anything. He didn't explain, but then I don't think it's explainable. I think if he looks again he will realise it's clear to see."