After being stunned by a late equalizer, Chelsea was left bewildered and infuriated over the experimental video referees.
And as frustration grew over the lack of winner against Norwich in the FA Cup, so did the number of dives by Chelsea players.
Chelsea finished Wednesday's third-round replay with nine men after Pedro Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata saw red in the frenzied conclusion with the teams locked at 1-1. Chelsea did eventually prevail on penalties against the second-tier visitors, winning 5-3 to advance to the fourth round in the rain at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was relieved but also seeking answers about the role of video assistant referees and how on-field official Graham Scott was consulting them. Scott certainly didn't go over to a monitor to assess decisions himself.
"If we want to improve," Conte said, "we have to wait to check with the person who is watching the game and then (see) if this person is sure 100 percent that it is simulation."
Chelsea had looked all set for the fourth round thanks to Michy Batshuayi's strike 10 minutes into the second half that ended the west london team's goal drought of more than 5½ hours.
But Norwich produced an equalizer with almost the last kick of regulation time. Timm Klose crossed from the left flank and Jamal lewis evaded Davide Zappacosta to guide a header into the roof of the net.
There was confusion at the start of extra time when Chelsea midfielder Willian was booked for diving rather than being awarded a penalty after being clipped by Klose.