Enzo Maresca slammed Liam Delap for his “very stupid red card” as Chelsea edged a chaotic 4–3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves to reach the quarter-finals.
Chelsea were cruising 3–0 at half-time through goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estêvão, and Jamie Gittens, but Wolves launched a fierce comeback after the break. Tolu Arokodare struck first before David Møller Wolfe scored twice to make it 4–3, leaving the home crowd applauding their fight despite another defeat.
Delap, returning from injury, was sent off late on for two reckless fouls in seven minutes — prompting fury from Maresca. “It’s embarrassing,” the Chelsea boss said. “After his first yellow, I told him several times to stay calm. He just doesn’t listen.”
Maresca admitted his young side panicked once Wolves pulled a goal back. “This team needs to grow up,” he said. Chelsea have now had six red cards in their past nine matches.
Wolves boss Vítor Pereira praised his players’ spirit, saying: “We showed the character to fight back. This group has the will to change the situation. We just need one win to believe again.”
Chelsea will face Cardiff in the last eight, but Delap’s suspension rules him out of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham.
