Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca did not hold back after striker Liam Delap was sent off in Wednesday’s dramatic 4-3 League Cup win over Wolves, describing the dismissal as both “stupid” and “embarrassing.”
Delap, making his first appearance since August following a hamstring injury, received two yellow cards in just seven minutes the first for hauling Yerson Mosquera to the ground and the second for a reckless aerial challenge on Emmanuel Agbadou.
The red card marks Chelsea’s sixth in just nine matches this season, leaving Maresca fuming over his player’s lack of discipline.
“For today we have a very stupid red card completely unnecessary. It was a stupid foul, and we can avoid that,” Maresca told reporters after the match. “It’s embarrassing when it’s a red card like today. Two yellow cards in seven minutes both avoidable. I told him several times to stay calm, but he didn’t listen.”
Delap’s dismissal overshadowed Chelsea’s victory, which secured their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face third-tier side Cardiff City.
The Blues appeared to be cruising after first-half goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Estevão gave them a 3-0 lead. However, Wolves mounted a late fightback through Tolu Arokodare and David Wolfe, before Jamie Gittens’ 90th-minute strike seemingly sealed Chelsea’s win.
Wolfe struck again moments later to make it 4-3, but despite the pressure and Delap’s red card Maresca’s side held firm to progress.
Delap will now serve a suspension and miss Saturday’s crucial London derby against Tottenham, compounding Maresca’s frustration as Chelsea’s disciplinary issues continue to mount.
