Andre Villas-Boas has criticised the Chelsea supporters for continually booing Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand during the Premier League showdown yesterday.

The 33-year-old was jeered throughout the 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge, with some suggesting that the centre-back was singled out for supporting his brother Anton Ferdinand after Blues captain John Terry was accused of allegedly racially abusing the Queens Park Rangers defender in October.

"You don't expect opposing fans to cheer your players," said Villas-Boas."This is a normal situation in the Premier League.

"You have to condemn it when there is discriminatory, aggressive behaviour. We know the situations. We know we have to play a part. If we want to push on this sequence of events to extend in the future, it's up to us. It's up to me and it's up to you in the press.

"If you want to give importance to situations like this, if you let people take responsibility, assume responsibility and the fans and the knowledge that maybe what they were doing makes no sense, it's better but to try to prevaricate isn't right."

Ferdinand turned to Twitter after the game and stated that the boos he received inspired the Red Devils to draw level after being 3-0 down in London.