It was a penalty-Kalou

(GSM) – Salomon Kalou claims he should have been awarded a penalty in the first half of Chelsea’s Champions League defeat by Internazionale.

The Blues striker, who scored the equaliser just after the break, appeared to be brought down by Walter Samuel shortly before the interval.

But Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez waved away appeals from the visitors as Jose Mourinho’s men took a slender advantage over his former club going into the second leg of their last-16 encounter.

Inter had a dream start with Diego Milito already finding the back of the net after only three minutes of play. Kalou’s long shot levelled matters after 51 minutes but Esteban Cambiasso restored Inter’s advantage just four minutes after that.

Ivory Coast international Kalou is convinced Carlo Ancelotti’s side should have been given the opportunity to score from 12 yards after he was challenged.

“It was a penalty but the referee decided it wasn’t so there is not a lot you can do about it,” he said.

“I felt him touch my right leg but the referee told me that I did not have control of the ball any more when he touched me.

“But I was about to shoot and if he touched me on the back of the leg it should be a penalty or he should have booked me for diving.”

Kalou believes his second-half strike could prove vital in the return leg at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues now knowing they will progress with a 1-0 victory.

“It is a good feeling to have the away goal,” said Kalou.

“Now we have to work on that and try to score at the Bridge and not concede.

“Jose knew we were going to attack and keep the ball. But they scored at the right moments and that made the difference.

“We knew we could control the game but we knew they could be dangerous on the break and that is what happened.”