Enzo Maresca hit out at striker Liam Delap after his “very stupid red card” nearly cost Chelsea in their chaotic 4–3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves.
Chelsea cruised into a 3–0 halftime lead through Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estêvão, and Jamie Gittens, but Wolves fought back with goals from Tolu Arokodare and a late David Møller Wolfe brace. Despite the scare, Chelsea held on to reach the quarter-finals, where they’ll face Cardiff.
Delap, returning from injury, was sent off for two reckless challenges just seven minutes apart. Maresca said he had repeatedly warned the forward to stay calm: “It’s embarrassing – two yellows in seven minutes. I told him four or five times to relax, but he plays his own game.”
The Chelsea boss also urged his young squad to “grow up” after nearly collapsing under pressure: “We panicked after it went 3–1. It’s part of the journey – this team needs to mature.”
For Wolves, despite another defeat, manager Vítor Pereira praised his side’s spirit, calling them “one of the best groups of my career” and insisting they have the belief to turn their season around.
