The Blues moved up to fourth in the Barclays Premier League after a 2-0 win over Derby at Pride Park courtesy of goals in either half from Salomon Kalou and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

However, the win was overshadowed when Michael Essien was shown a straight red card in injury time for flailing an arm in the face of Rams striker Kenny Miller.

Grant was far from happy with the decision as he said: "I don't like to speak against a referee.

"I have not done it many times in my life and I don't want to do it now, especially as he is a first-year referee in the Premier League.

"I don't want to say something against him but I have a feeling - and I was warned about this before I came to Chelsea and I fear it's true - that we are an easy target for getting red cards.

"It happened against Manchester United and Fulham this season and in both of those games we lost points, yet everybody saw they were not red cards, and today was the same.

"So I don't like the idea that we are an easy target. Everybody needs to think about."

Grant, though, was embarrassed as it was pointed out to him that referee Andre Marriner is in fact a third-year official, while replays clearly showed 75th-minute substitute Essien looking towards Miller before swinging his arm.

"I don't know if you know but with the uniform (team kit) today there are no pockets - nobody can put their hands in their pockets," retorted Grant.

"Sometimes when you put your hand out like this (indicating a push), I don't think it's a red card."

When asked whether he would appeal, Grant replied, "We need to see it again but basically I think we will do it.

"Again I don't want to say anything against the decision before I see it again but I am sure we are an easy target. It's not the first time."

Chelsea's England players were also targets for the Derby boo-boys, who turned on Wright-Phillips, Frank Lampard and captain John Terry, returning after a seven-week absence following a knee operation.

Their every touch was booed, in particular with Lampard often facing appalling provocation which angered Grant, who said: "I didn't like it.

"All the England players tried to do their best but it didn't work out.

"I understand the supporters are disappointed. You can feel it.

"All of the England wanted England to qualify and the players wanted it too, but now they need support."

The visitors cruised through the first half, taking the lead in the 18th minute when Kalou finished a four-man move with cool aplomb for his fifth goal of the season.

But Chelsea had to wait until the 73rd minute to finish off Derby, with Wright-Phillips tapping home a rebound after Lampard had struck the left-hand post.

The goal was controversial, though, as youngster Giles Barnes had been fouled from behind by Andriy Shevchenko, a challenge that led to Lampard then breaking away before striking a shot that Wright-Phillips finished to end a seven-month goal drought for his club.

There was further angst for rock-bottom Derby prior to that as Miller had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside, with the end result meaning the Rams have now failed to score in their last 10 hours of football.

Disappointed Rams boss Billy Davies is far more concerned he has not seen new chairman Adam Pearson for the last few weeks as he seeks a fighting fund to bring in players in the January transfer window.

"Anybody questioning the players' attitude, commitment and effort, should look again because I can't ask any more from these guys," he said.

"I have seen Kenny Miller's goal and it's clearly onside; I have seen the tackle on Giles Barnes, and it's clearly a free-kick.

"But that's not the problem. The problem we have is that we have to invest in the playing staff of this club.

"Hopefully I can see the chairman - who I've not seen in the last three weeks - and hopefully if there is any investment then it goes towards the playing staff.

"I feel sorry for the fans because they are paying their money, getting behind the club and the players, but they want to see quality on the pitch and that is something we must see now."