Enzo Maresca was happy with the “fighting spirit” of his Chelsea team after a melee broke out in the closing stages of Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw against 10-man Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.
Virtuality all 22 players plus substitutes were involved in the disorder which was sparked when Forest’s Neco Williams pushed Marc Cucurella off the pitch, causing him to knock Maresca to the ground.
Cucurella was shown a yellow card for his role in the incident, his fifth of the season thereby ruling him out of Chelsea’s game against Liverpool after the international break, whilst Wesley Fofana was also booked and will miss the match at Anfield.
For the second time this season the team were shown six yellow cards meaning they will likely face a fine.
“I think the team is fighting all together,” said Maresca. “I don’t think some of them lost their heads, I think they were all of them in the game, so I was happy with that.
Asked whether he feared his team had a discipline problem, he replied: “No. It’s something probably we need to improve, but overall I like the team the way they are fighting, the way they are becoming a team in these kind of things. I don’t see any problem about that.
“Now we have the international break, we have time to see how we can organise.”
During the fracas, which broke out in the 88th minute in front of the Chelsea dugout, Nicolas Jackson appeared to raise his hand to the face of a Forest player, an incident that was not spotted either by the on-field referee or VAR but could yet see action brought against the striker retrospectively.
Jackson was not on the pitch, having been substituted in the 81st minute.
“In that moment not only Nicholas was inside the pitch,” said Maresca in the player’s defence. “If you look there were more players from the bench inside the pitch.
“If you ask if I prefer when something like that happens, players from outside are involved or not, I like the spirit of the team. I don’t see any problem.
Your top four heading into the international break…
1️⃣ @LFC2️⃣ @ManCity3️⃣ @Arsenal4️⃣ @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/kqQ9J9t9A4
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 6, 2024
“There are things we can control and do better and probably this is one of the things. But if you ask me about the team spirit, the way they are fighting together, the way they are doing things together, I’m very happy.”
A steely, disciplined display from Forest saw them take the lead against the run of play early in the second half, defender Nikola Milenkovic heading a free-kick across goal for Chris Wood to toe it beyond Robert Sanchez.
Noni Madueke had not scored in the league since hitting a hat-trick against Wolves in August but he drew Chelsea level soon after with unerring accuracy, collecting Cole Palmer’s pass and cutting inside to send a shot inside the far post behind the unsighted Matz Sels.
James Ward-Prowse was sent off for a second yellow after a deliberate handball to deny Jackson, before both goalkeepers produced brilliant saves during 13 frantic minutes off added time.
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo reflected on a game in which it was difficult to keep emotions in check.
“It was a crazy game, wasn’t it?” he said. “Goalkeepers making huge saves, we had one man less, mass confusion, red cards, yellow cards, everything was there.
“What I’m trying to say at the same time is, please referees understand we that are there on the touchline and on the pitch, it is very emotional.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Neuer vs Auckland City Fabrizio Romano when asked about the Ballon d'Or. lol Oh no This Rayan X Cherki They knew he wouldn’t save it …Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, FootballWTF247, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC, MaguireSkills)...
Paris Saint-Germain had arguably the most dominant Champions League final win in the tournament's history.Beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final, it is a performance that will be talked about for many years to come.With a core of exciting young players, this PSG side could dominate Europe for years.The city of Paris finally has a European champion, and their team is expected to go from streng...
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training sessionLiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is supposedly being eyed up by Real Madrid ahead of next summer, as the Spanish giant's new transfer policy takes shape.According to MARCA, Real Madrid is lining up a move for Konate, but only if his Liverpool contract runs down to the point of expiration in 2026. It is also hoping to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from A...
The Italian champs laid down the law to Manchester rivals City and United over deals for their exiled wingers.Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summerAlejandro Garnacho is like to depart Old TraffordUnited want £70m for Garnacho but are yet to receive an offer for the 20-year-old Argentina international.However, City will be prepared to accept a fee of around £45m for Grealish, 29...
Arteta makes transfer decision on Arsenal defensive duoArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reached the decision over the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, with the defensive duo finding themselves on AC Milan's radar.Man Utd eye Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi to replace OnanaThe Red Devils have set their sights on Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi as they continue their quest to...
Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-finalRayan Cherki has laid out his ambitions after joining Manchester City and has set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or. WHAT HAPPENED?New Manchester City signing Cherki has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or at his new club, with the young attacking midfielder sharing his ambition of following in the footsteps of fellow team-mate ...
Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second LegAthletic Club have sent a warning to Barcelona over their pursuit of Nico Williams telling La Blaugrana to meet the player's release clause. FBL-EUR-C3-ATHLETIC BILBAO-ROMAWHAT HAPPENED?The seemingly never-ending transfer saga between Williams and La Blaugrana took another turn this week, as representatives of Athletic...
Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier LeagueMarcus Rashford has been training in Spain to build up his fitness ahead of a potential transfer as Barcelona track the Manchester United outcast.WHAT HAPPENED?Rashford is training in Marbella during the post-season in an attempt to be fit and raring to go for the 2025-26 campaign. The England international is facing an uncertain future, with United ...
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Ange Postecoglou has been approached by Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli and is considering their offer after being sacked by Tottenham.WHAT HAPPENED?Postecoglou is considering an approach from Al-Ahli as he weighs up his next move after being sacked by Tottenham. The Sun claim the Saudi Pro League outfit have offered the Greek-Austral...
AFC Bournemouth v Everton FC - Premier LeagueBournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie went on a spending spree with his partner Georgina Bell, purchasing six properties in Glasgow in one day.WHAT HAPPENED?A report from The Sun reveals that Bournemouth midfielder Christie recently expanded his property empire by going on a seven-figure spending spree, purchasing as many as six flats in Glasgow in one d...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 5 Thomas Frank 'agrees' to take Tottenham job as Daniel Levy closes in on appointment
- 6 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 7 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 8 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 9 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 10 Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plans