Chelsea’s disappointing 1-1 draw with 10-men Nottingham Forest produced another double blow for Enzo Maresca, as two of his stars are now suspended for their trip to Liverpool after the international break.
Despite playing just seven Premier League matches, combative Chelsea have seen two of their players pick up five yellow cards already. A one-match ban is the punishment for receiving five yellows up to and including matchweek 19.
Both Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella were walking the suspension tightrope heading into the clash with Forest, but they were heading towards a clean exit with 78 minutes already played and zero cautions.
Related articles
However, Cucurella was at the centre of a mass brawl with the game on a knife’s edge after James Ward-Prowse had already been sent off for two yellow cards.
The Spanish defender was barged into Maresca by Neco Williams and Levi Colwill led the complaints, bursting over to the touchline to confront Williams which led to large sets of players and coaches getting involved in the bust-up.
Cucurella was perplexed when he returned to his feet to discover that referee Chris Kavanagh had brandished a yellow card, even though he was the victim of a shove from Williams. The Welsh defender and Colwill were also handed bookings, as Cucurella’s suspension was confirmed.
Only moments later Fofana found himself in the referee’s book for a foul on substitute Jota Silva as he burst away from the Chelsea defence and the Frenchman deemed it necessary to pull the Portuguese star down.
A yellow card was promptly produced, with Maresca not only walking away without the three points that had been expected at home for Forest, but he has been handed a big dilemma when Chelsea head to Anfield next.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez kept Chelsea in the game in the dying embers of the match with a string of smart saves, but afterwards insisted that there will be a discussion between players to avoid needless infringements in the future.
"A couple of players are going to miss games because of it, but we need to speak about it in the changing room,” Sanchez said. “We deserved more and created chances but we didn't score the goal to get the points.
"Massive players but it was unlucky. They need to stop talking to the officials. We have some very good players to come in."
Maresca himself added: "I said many times it is something we need to improve. I like the team the way they are fighting and become a team."
Cucurella and Fofana were among six Chelsea players who were booked on Sunday, which carries out a £25,000 fine for the club. It is the second time this season the Blues have been punished for numerous players picking up yellow cards.
