Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca didn’t hold back after striker Liam Delap was sent off in what he called a “stupid” and “embarrassing” red card during Chelsea’s wild 4–3 League Cup victory over Wolves on Wednesday night.
Delap, making his first appearance since August after a hamstring injury, came off the bench only to be sent off within seven minutes — collecting two yellow cards in quick succession.
His first booking came for dragging Yerson Mosquera to the ground, and the second followed after a reckless aerial challenge on Emmanuel Agbadou. The dismissal marked Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, leaving Maresca visibly furious.
“It was a completely unnecessary red card — a stupid foul we could have avoided,” Maresca fumed after the game.
“It’s embarrassing — two yellows in seven minutes. After the first one, I told him four or five times to stay calm, but he didn’t listen.”
The Italian manager lamented that Delap’s moment of madness overshadowed what was otherwise an impressive performance from his side — one that booked their place in the League Cup quarter-finals, where they’ll face third-tier Cardiff City.
Chelsea looked to be cruising after a dominant first half, thanks to goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and teenage sensation Estevão. But Wolves fought back, with Tolu Arokodare and David Wolfe cutting the deficit before Jamie Gittens’ late strike seemingly sealed Chelsea’s win.
Moments later, Wolfe grabbed his second to set up a tense finish, but the 10-man Blues held on to secure a dramatic victory.
Delap will now miss Chelsea’s crucial London derby against Tottenham this weekend — a setback that leaves Maresca frustrated with his young forward’s lack of discipline.
“When he’s on the pitch, he plays the game for himself,” Maresca said. “He needs to realise he’s playing for the team.”
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