Chelsea captain John Terry was sent off for two bookable offences

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that captain John Terry lost control when he was sent off during the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.

Terry was dismissed for two bookings as Chelsea suffered a loss that meant Manchester United are one point behind at the top of the Premier League.

"I was a player and I know as a player sometimes you lose your control and any player can do this," said Ancelotti.

Terry will be suspended for Chelsea's next game against Stoke on Sunday.

The skipper's sending-off capped a miserable performance from Chelsea, which came hours after United's victory over Manchester City had breathed life into the title race.

Terry's form has been inconsistent since he was stripped of the England captaincy over allegations that he had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

The skipper's handball gifted Tottenham the penalty from which they took the lead at White Hart Lane.

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"All the people are looking too much at his performances," stated Ancelotti. "Maybe sometimes he had some problems and he didn't play so well, maybe on Saturday he didn't play so well, but you have to look to the whole season of John Terry which is absolutely fantastic.

"John Terry is under pressure now, but everyone is under pressure at the moment. He is the captain and he is involved in this exciting race and it's nothing special."

United are at home to Spurs on Saturday lunchtime and could move ahead of Chelsea with a victory.

Both teams have three games remaining, with Chelsea facing a tricky trip to Anfield following the Stoke clash, but Ancelotti is convinced his players can cope with the pressure of the title run-in.

"The pressure is normal," he added. "To have pressure at the end of the Premier League is normal. We are top of the table and I think we have less pressure that the other teams.

"We have to control this but I think my players have the character and concentration to maintain their focus on our matches."

Chelsea have concerns over the fitness of talismanic striker Didier Drogba, who is struggling with a groin problem.

The Ivorian tweaked his groin at the start of the second-half against Tottenham and wanted to come off but Ancelotti had already made three changes - two of them at the interval.

And Drogba may have to play through the pain barrier for the rest of the season before deciding whether to undergo surgery.

"It's his decision," said Ancelotti. "He doesn't have a big problem. It's more about controlling the situation.

"He'll take a decision at the end of the season, whether he has surgery or not. But it's not sure he'll have surgery."

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