Roberto Di Matteo has branded Chelsea's treatment at the hands of referees as "incredible" after watching his side avenge their bitter English Premier League defeat to Manchester United by beating them in a nine-goal Capital One Cup thriller.
For the second consecutive night fans were treated to a feast of goals as Chelsea dragged themselves back into the match and, despite a final minute penalty from Ryan Giggs, secured a place in the quarter-finals against Leeds United.
Young Manchester United defender Scott Wootton gave away a penalty which Eden Hazard scored right at the end of normal time, and then inadvertently played in Daniel Sturridge with a weak back header to put Chelsea ahead.
Ramires made it 5-3 before Giggs' penalty on the stroke of full time in a match overshadowed by the weekend allegations accusations of "inappropriate language" against referee Mark Clattenburg.
Di Matteo refused to comment on the claims, but hit out again at the official's performance in Sunday's loss at Stamford Bridge.
"It's incredible that it always hits Chelsea Football Club.
"So maybe that's something to think about, you know."
"We would just like to be treated fairly by everybody."
But he insisted the incident had not had an effect on the mindset of his team, adding: "I spoke to my players in the last couple of days and, mentally, they were in the right frame of mind to play."
United took the lead in the 22nd minute following a defensive mix-up by Chelsea, Ryan Giggs taking advantage by scoring with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
David Luiz brought Chelsea level nine minutes level with a coolly-taken penalty after Alexander Buttner had chopped down Victor Moses.
But Javier Hernandez, who got the winner on Sunday, continued his fine record against the Blues with another smart finish two minutes before the break.
Again the hosts came back, this time Gary Cahill powering home a Juan Mata corner in the 52nd minute.
But they simply could not keep things watertight at the back and were cut apart by a superb combination between Anderson and Nani seven minutes later, the Portuguese dinking a beautiful finish past Petr Cech.
Chelsea were denied a strong penalty claim when the ball appeared to strike Wootton's arm, adding to their list grievances following the two sendings off in the league game.
But they did get a penalty in the fourth minute of injury time as this time Wootton was punished for a push on Ramires and Hazard rolled his penalty low down the middle.
Worse was to come for Wootton seven minutes into extra time as his attempted header back was too short and Sturridge, who up till then had been awful, rounded Anders Lindegaard to score.
Ramires added another in the 116th minute, dancing around the Dane for number five.
The visitors were not done, Giggs slotting home from the spot after a foul on Hernandez, but there was not enough time to get an equaliser.
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted United only had themselves to blame.
"We've thrown it away, really," he said.
"We've got possession of the ball in the last third of the field in the last seconds of the game.
"Nani tried to beat a player. We lost the ball and lost the game.
"From the spectators' point of view, it was a terrific game of football.
"You get nine goals in a game of football and you're getting your money's worth. There's no doubt about that.
"I think the problem was that the two young centre-backs found it difficult.
"You can play young forwards and it doesn't cost you. But young defenders, it's very difficult at that level.
"Obviously, they learnt from the experience of it. But, nonetheless, it was a hard night for them."
Holders Liverpool crashed out the competition as Brendan Rodgers watched his side go down 3-1 at home against former club Swansea.
Rodgers paid the price for fielding a weakened team as Chico headed the Swans in front just after the half-hour mark.
A Nathan Dyer finished made it two 18 minutes from time and, even though Luis Suarez, off the bench, pulled one back four minutes later by heading home a Steven Gerrard free kick, Jonathan de Guzmán killed the Reds off in stoppage time.
"I thought the best team won. We were too slow, there was no tempo in the first half," admitted Rodgers, who left Swansea to take over from Kenny Dalglish at Anfield in June.
"It is disappointing. You can only hurt if you are the better team and I thought they were the better team.
"Swansea were bright and creative and were very good and it took the introduction of Luis and Steven to up the tempo in the second half.
"I am disappointed to be out of the competition but I don't think we can have any complaints."
Elsewhere, Norwich scored twice in the final seven minutes to come from behind and 2-1 at home to Tottenham, who also missed a late penalty.
A strong Spurs side went in front through Gareth Bale in the 66th minute, but a Jan Vertonghen own goal in the 84th minute levelled the scores.
And the Canaries, struggling in the league, completed the turnaround three minutes later as Simeon Jackson followed up to tap home after fellow substitute Grant Holt's header was parried.
Clint Dempsey had the chance to make it 2-2 from the spot a minute later, but his low effort was kept out by Mark Bunn in the Norwich goal.
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