Enzo Maresca believes that Nicolas Jackson's red card in Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United was influenced by the home supporters inside St. James' Park.
Jackson was sent off in the 35th minute for a flailing forearm into Sven Botman, a decision initially given as a yellow before being upgraded following a VAR review.
That made Chelsea's hopes of a comeback even more difficult, with the Blues already a goal down thanks to Sandro Tonali's finish in just the second minute.
But Maresca's team had their chances in the second half, with Nick Pope making strong saves to deny Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez, while Reece James also squandered a golden opportunity late on.
James' miss proved costly, with Bruno Guimaraes sealing an important victory for the Magpies in the 90th minute as his shot from distance deflected over Robert Sanchez.
"It's already difficult 11 v 11 in this stadium, against this team. Playing one hour with 10 players has not been easy," Maresca said of Jackson's dismissal.
"I think in the second half the team showed spirit, togetherness.
"The only thing I can say is that sometimes it's too easy to make some decisions in some stadiums. If the referee decides for a red, it's a red.
"Sometimes, in this stadium, you have the feeling that some decisions are from the noise. Again, if the referee decides it's a red card, it’s a red card."
The result saw Chelsea's five-game winning run across all competitions come to an end, with the defeat a huge blow to their hopes of Champions League qualification.
The Blues remain fifth in the table but could drop out of the top five following the conclusion of Sunday's fixtures, with just two games of their season remaining.
Indeed, the Opta supercomputer hands Chelsea a 48.7% probability of finishing in the Champions League places, and Marseca believes it could go down to the wire.
"We were in a good run, but my message was always the same to the players. The game is gone, think about the next one," Maresca said.
"Same now, we need to focus on Friday's game - that's the next one."
"It could be," Maresca added on whether the top five race could go to the final day. "We didn't win today.
"We are upset on one side, on the other, proud of the team because the effort is top. We need to keep the same effort, the same feeling for Friday's game."
sihcmnpuy
1
owuvs Real Madrid
dacblnorsu
0
well, that's what they are for, if it's at Stamford bridge the same thing will happened
Jalah
0
And them later after u brought out James the whole game change even doe we loose but the entire team was balance Moise ceciedo came back central midfield
Jalah
0
u was at fault for Chelsea loosing today okay u have ur two right back fit but u when on using Moise ceciedo at right back there entire team lack balance
FabM
2
This is just wrong reporting.. He said in some stadiums the crowd decides whether it's a foul, a red or not but in Jackson's case it was a no
Ciuacmpsuz
0
put saka
Coeaceknst
1
Useless coach
MessiGOAT4ever
0
The crowd also influenced Newcastle to score 2 goals as well....
Issakintu256
0
meresca should be sacked immediately
akiamo
0
fool sene sene! if true 👌
Mesaeimnr
3
Chelsea you should know that All visiting team about 80%have won their matches,l don't know what is wrong.A match like this one should be taken into great importance meanwhile Chelsea looks afraid, panicking before the match especially the keeper, look at his position before considering the second goal.A coach who refuses long balls from it players should be dismissed.Football nowadays is speed not the one-on-one that you are doing.You can have 80%ball possession but we want to see the ball in the net.Dissolve/dismiss the whole team except, Cucurella, Pedro, and George
wahbemns
0
Maresca I can see you don't know what you doing
jehbdintyz
0
Maresca and Jackson are 2 idiots causing Chelsea to collapse
ChelseaFan¥21
0
With Maresca in charge we won't go anyway 💔
Theskyisblue
0
really football is something else city draw against a relegation team yesterday Chelsea today was beaten by new castle now forest with all the chances to get into top 5 draw against a relegation team at home all this shining head coaches with white Bears
yutacilrst
1
you farking stupid Maresca love Jackson black kork