Enzo Maresca tore into striker Liam Delap after Chelsea’s 4–3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves, branding his late dismissal “very stupid” and warning his young side to “grow up.”
Chelsea appeared to be cruising at 3–0 after first-half goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Estêvão, with Jamie Gittens later adding a fourth. But Wolves mounted a fierce comeback, scoring three times through Tolu Arokodare and a late brace from David Møller Wolfe.
Delap, returning from a two-month injury layoff, was shown two yellows in seven minutes for reckless challenges, leaving Maresca furious. “It’s embarrassing,” the manager said. “After the first yellow, I told him to stay calm four or five times.”
Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine matches adds to their growing disciplinary woes ahead of Saturday’s league trip to Tottenham. Maresca admitted his side panicked after Wolves struck back but said it was part of their “journey” to maturity.
Wolves boss Vítor Pereira, whose side remain bottom of the Premier League, praised his players’ spirit despite the defeat: “They showed character and quality. We just need one win to believe again.”
