Enzo Maresca will serve a one-match touchline suspension after Chelsea’s head coach picked up his third yellow card of the season while celebrating Sunday’s dramatic late victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Maresca was booked by referee Anthony Taylor as he burst out of his area and ran down the touchline towards the away fans following Pedro Neto’s stoppage-time strike in what was a must-win to keep his side in the chase for the Champions League. Chelsea’s entire bench also erupted as they spilled on to the pitch.
Maresca was previously shown yellows in Premier League games against Bournemouth by Taylor and Newcastle by Simon Hooper.
Chelsea’s next clash is with Everton this Saturday lunchtime at Stamford Bridge as they bid to continue their push for a place in Europe’s elite competition via their domestic position.
Maresca mentioned he was booked amid the chaos of the Neto celebrations during his post-match press conference at Craven Cottage but did not mention, or was not aware, that he would have to serve a ban.
Mail Sport checked with the FA, who confirmed on Sunday night that his three booking would equal a single game stricken from the sidelines.
It is not a helpful development for Maresca as his assistant, Willy Caballero, will likely to have to step up in the technical area this weekend.
In previous matches, Maresca has been targeted by a few fans at Stamford Bridge complaining about his style of football, with one telling him it is ‘boring’ during their last home draw with Ipswich.
While Chelsea’s players were celebrating with the away fans at full-time on Sunday, Maresca walked across the pitch and down the tunnel, rather than joining in with his team.
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They're talking about maresca's celebration,have y'all seen Antonio Conte's celebrate when he makes this kind of come back win??