Maresca Fumes at “Embarrassing” Red Card as Chelsea Edge Wolves in Seven-Goal Thriller

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was visibly furious after Liam Delap’s red card nearly cost the Blues their hard-fought 4-3 Carabao Cup victory over Wolves on Wednesday night.

The dramatic clash saw Chelsea storm into a 3-0 lead in the first half, thanks to goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Estevão Willian. But what looked like a comfortable night quickly turned chaotic.

Tolu Arokodare and David Moller pulled Wolves back into the contest, before Jamie Gittens restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion with a thunderbolt finish. Moller’s second strike came too late to change the result — but Delap’s late dismissal stole the headlines.

The 21-year-old forward, making his return from a hamstring injury, received two yellow cards in just seven minutes — an incident that left his manager fuming.

“Today we had a very stupid red card that was completely unnecessary,” Maresca said post-match.

“A stupid foul. He deserved that. It’s embarrassing when it’s a red card like today.

“After the yellow card, I told him four or five times to stay calm. When he is on the pitch, he sometimes plays the game for himself and struggles to see the others around him.”

Delap’s reckless display now means he will miss Chelsea’s crucial Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday.

💭 Opinion: Passion Without Control — The Thin Line Young Players Must Learn

Liam Delap’s red card was more than a moment of rashness — it was a reminder of the discipline gap that still separates raw talent from true professionalism.

Yes, he’s young, hungry, and eager to impress after an injury spell. But football — especially at a club like Chelsea — demands more than fire; it demands focus.

Enzo Maresca’s frustration isn’t just managerial temper — it’s the sound of a coach trying to instill mentality and maturity into a new generation of players. The kind who must learn that composure under pressure is what makes a player dependable, not just dazzling.

Still, it’s hard not to sympathize with Delap. Coming off an injury, returning under the bright lights, and trying to prove himself — emotions can run high. What matters now is how he responds.

If Delap can channel that same passion into precision, he won’t just be another youngster with potential; he’ll be a forward Chelsea can truly rely on.

For now, though, this incident stands as a simple lesson: in football, temper can cost more than talent can save. ⚽💭