Chelsea's manager Enzo Maresca unleashed fierce criticism towards striker Liam Delap after the player's dismissal during Wednesday evening's 4-3 League Cup triumph at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Italian tactician condemned the forward's sending off as entirely avoidable, marking yet another disciplinary setback for the Blues.
The incident represents Chelsea's sixth dismissal across merely nine fixtures this campaign, a concerning pattern that has clearly tested Maresca's patience.
The manager's frustration was palpable as he addressed the media following the dramatic cup tie at Molineux.
Liam Delap's return from injury ended prematurely after a rapid red card
|REUTERS
Delap's ill-disciplined display came during his first appearance since August, having recently recovered from an extended absence.
His premature departure from the pitch has now ruled him out of Saturday's crucial London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
The substitute striker's evening unravelled spectacularly after entering the fray. His initial caution arrived in the 79th minute when he shoved Yerson Mosquera to the turf in an unnecessary altercation.
Merely seven minutes elapsed before Delap compounded his error with an ill-judged aerial challenge on Emmanuel Agbadou.
The referee had no alternative but to brandish a second yellow card, reducing Chelsea to ten men.
The forward's return from a prolonged hamstring problem lasted just minutes before his impetuous actions curtailed his involvement. Having been sidelined since August, the striker's comeback proved disastrously brief.
His lack of composure proved costly for Maresca's side, who were forced to navigate the closing stages with a numerical disadvantage. The dismissal overshadowed what should have been a positive return to action.
Maresca's assessment of the incident was unequivocal. "For today we have a very stupid red card, that was completely unnecessary, absolutely it was a stupid foul, we can avoid that," the Chelsea boss declared.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The Italian distinguished between unavoidable dismissals and this particular incident.
"I completely support and understand the red card like against Brighton and Manchester United that is difficult, but the red card against Nottingham and a red card today we can avoid that and we have to avoid that."
His frustration intensified when discussing the rapid succession of bookings. "It's embarrassing when it is a red card like today. It's embarrassing, two yellow cards in seven minutes. Both I think we can avoid."
Maresca revealed his attempts to calm the striker proved futile. "After the first yellow card I told him four or five times 'keep calm', but he's a player when he is inside the pitch, probably he is playing the game for himself and he struggled to realise and to listen around him."
Enzo Maresca was furious with Liam Delap after his red card
|REUTERS
The Blues had established commanding control by the interval, with Andrey Santos, Tyrique George and Estevao all finding the net to secure a 3-0 advantage against the Premier League's basement side.
Wolverhampton mounted a spirited fightback through Tolu Arokodare and David Wolfe, narrowing the deficit and threatening an unlikely comeback. Jamie Gittens appeared to have settled matters with a 90th-minute strike for Chelsea.
Liam Delap was sent off after swinging an elbow while jumping with Emmanuel Agbadou
|SKY SPORTS
Yet the hosts refused to surrender, with Wolfe claiming his second goal moments later to ensure a nervy finale.
Despite the numerical disadvantage following Delap's dismissal, Maresca's men clung on to secure their quarter-final berth.
The reward for navigating this turbulent encounter is a trip to third-tier Cardiff City in the next round.