Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will study the rule book after admitting he was baffled as to why Chelsea's David Luiz was not sent off on Saturday.
In the fourth minute and with the score 0-0 in the Premier League encounter at St James' Park, the Brazilian brought down Demba Ba with only goalkeeper Petr Cech standing between him and the opening goal.
But referee Mike Dean decided only to show a yellow card.
Pardew told Sky Sports that Dean had told him Ba did not have "control of the ball" so it was not a red-card offence.
"I am going to have to look at the rule book," said Pardew. "It's a sending-off, it's as simple as that. It changed the game."
Goals from Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge ensured Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge with three points.
Pardew continued: "He's in on goal and he brings him down. I do not understand the logic of referees when that happens. I genuinely believe that the referee got that wrong."
Chelsea boss Andre Villa-Boas said the 3-0 victory was a "massive result".
But he admitted the Blues were lucky to keep 11 men on the field.
"We have been treated unfairly for quite some time as well and maybe today the decision fell our way," Villas-Boas said.
"I'm sure Alan will not be happy."
Drogba admitted it was important to go into next week's must-win Champions League clash against Valencia with a victory.
He said: "Even if we had a bad result, we still have to win the game in the Champions League.
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