LONDON: Stoke manager Tony Pulis (pic) blasted Chelsea stars Branislav Ivanovic and Oscar for what he felt to be blatant simulation as his side fell to a late 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Ivanovic went down easily in the first half under a challenge from Geoff Cameron in the penalty area and escaped a caution, while Brazilian wonderkid Oscar was booked for diving later on, and Pulis felt their tumbling was "laughable".

"What really disappointed me was the simulation. Ivanovic's penalty appeal in the first half was laughable, and the lad Oscar - who's a fabulous player - did something similar in the second half," said Pilus.

"This is England. We can't watch people just fall over and not talk about it. We should highlight it and keep on highlighting it, because it's a part of the game we don’t talk about enough."

While referee Michael Oliver missed Ivanovic's attempted dive, Pulis had kind words for the young official, however, the Stoke boss still felt the official should have sent off David Luiz after a wild tackle on Jon Walters.

"I thought the referee was smashing today, but they put enormous pressure on him, and it's a difficult enough job anyway," said Pilus.

"Luiz's tackle was a dreadful challenge, and I think he would be the first to admit it. He was very lucky to stay on the pitch."

Pulis was disappointed with the result, but was happy with his side's display, hailing it as his side's best performance at Stamford Bridge since their promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

"This was probably the best we've played at Stamford Bridge in the five years we've been in the Premier League," he said.

"We've played well against Arsenal, Manchester City and again against Chelsea. We should have won at Reading, but we gave away a silly penalty in the last minute, and we did well at Wigan. We just haven't had the breaks.

"In general I’m really pleased with the performance. The lads were smashing, but they kept at it."

Pulis also praised Michael Owen after the striker came off the bench with 25 minutes to go, continuing his return to full fitness

"I plan to give him a lot more time over the next month to get his fitness up," he said.

"He's been a breath of fresh air since he arrived. His attitude's been fantastic, and I think he's got a point to prove. Given the opportunity and the chances, he'll do well for us."

- mD

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