Enzo Maresca urged his Chelsea side to “grow up” after they nearly threw away a 3-0 lead in a chaotic 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves.
Chelsea stormed ahead in the first half through Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estêvão and Jamie Gittens, but the game descended into mayhem after substitute Liam Delap was sent off for two reckless challenges within seven minutes.
“It’s embarrassing,” Maresca said. “After his first yellow I told him to calm down four or five times, but he doesn’t listen. It’s something we must avoid.”
The red card was Chelsea’s sixth in nine games, and it nearly cost them again as Wolves rallied with goals from Tolu Arokodare and a David Møller Wolfe brace.
Despite the scare, Maresca’s side advanced to the quarter-finals to face Cardiff, though he admitted his young squad “panicked” after Wolves’ comeback. “It’s part of the journey — this team needs to grow up,” he said.
Wolves boss Vítor Pereira praised his team’s second-half spirit despite another defeat, saying: “We just need one win to believe again.”
