The Blues maintained a safe distance from Wolverhampton Wanderers, leading 3-0 during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup match.
The fourth-round contest at Molineux concluded with Chelsea securing a 4-3 victory, even after the home side managed to score twice in the latter half. Though both teams scored near the end, Liam Delap’s ejection somewhat tarnished the Blues’ advancement to the quarter-finals.
The English Under-21 forward had been sidelined since late August when he sustained a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s contentious victory over Fulham.
Will Chelsea’s Liam Delap participate this weekend?
Delap was ejected from the game within thirty minutes of his comeback match for the Blues, arguably fortunate to have lasted that long.
After bringing down Wolves’ defender Yerson Mosquera twice in an avoidable clash near the opposition’s penalty area, the 22-year-old was exceptionally lucky that official Thomas Bramall chose a second caution after his elbow made contact with Emmanuel Agbadou.
Many officials might have opted for a straight red card for the incident, and Chelsea’s coach, Enzo Maresca, was visibly frustrated following the game. Chelsea has received six red cards in their most recent nine games, with one issued to Maresca himself.
“That was a completely needless and rather unintelligent red card,” the Blues’ manager stated.
“It was entirely justified. A foolish infraction that could have been avoided. I fully agree with the red card decision.
“After the initial caution, I cautioned him repeatedly, about four or five instances, to maintain composure. However, Liam, once on the field, focuses solely on his own game and seems to disregard external instructions.”
That harsh critique of a player Chelsea acquired for a speculated £30 million will be momentarily set aside, as the red card ensures Delap will not participate against Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday.
While dismissals incurred during the FA Cup or Champions League matches result in substitutions limited to those specific competitions, suspensions from red cards in the Premier League and Carabao Cup are applicable in matches across either tournament.
Chelsea’s injury list includes several players who would typically be in contention for a starting role, such as Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, and Cole Palmer.
Having only just received medical clearance, Delap has predictably angered his coach by sidelining himself for a London derby.
Chelsea will face Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the early evening kickoff on Saturday as Premier League action proceeds this weekend.
