(DDM) — Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has strongly condemned striker Liam Delap for what he described as a “stupid” and “embarrassing” red card during the club’s 4–3 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup on Wednesday night.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the thrilling encounter at Molineux Stadium saw Chelsea race into an early lead through goals from Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher, before Wolves fought back to make it a tense and dramatic cup tie.
The match took a chaotic turn midway through the second half when Delap, who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes, lunged recklessly at Wolves defender Toti Gomes, prompting referee Michael Salisbury to show him a straight red card.
Maresca, visibly angry after the game, said Delap’s action was “inexcusable” and nearly derailed what should have been a comfortable win for the Blues.
“It was stupid, simply stupid,” Maresca said in his post-match interview. “We were in full control, but one careless moment put everyone under unnecessary pressure. It was embarrassing for a club like Chelsea.”
DDM reports that following the red card, Wolves mounted a spirited comeback, scoring twice through Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha, cutting Chelsea’s 4–1 advantage to 4–3. The London club held on for the win but endured a nervy final ten minutes.
The Italian tactician praised his team’s overall performance but stressed that discipline must improve if Chelsea hopes to challenge for trophies this season.
“When you’re building something new, discipline and mentality are non-negotiable,” Maresca added. “We showed great attacking football, but we cannot allow one moment to undo all the hard work.”
Delap, on loan from Manchester City, had been tipped to play a key role in Chelsea’s domestic cup campaign. His dismissal now rules him out of the next round, a setback Maresca called “avoidable and unfortunate.”
DDM learned that this was not the first time Delap’s aggressive playing style has come under scrutiny. During his time at Stoke City, he was booked 12 times in one season, a pattern critics say he must urgently fix if he wants to succeed at the top level.
Chelsea fans expressed mixed feelings after the match. While some praised the team’s attacking flair and resilience, others criticized the lack of discipline that has plagued the squad in recent months.
Sports pundit Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, said the red card “summed up the immaturity in parts of this young Chelsea team,” warning that consistency will only come with “smarter decision-making under pressure.”
Meanwhile, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil admitted that Chelsea deserved the win but noted that his team’s defensive lapses were costly.
“We allowed them too much space early on,” O’Neil said. “Even with ten men, they were dangerous.”
Chelsea’s goals came from Palmer, Gallagher, Raheem Sterling, and Christopher Nkunku, marking Nkunku’s first goal since returning from a long-term injury.
The French forward’s performance was one of the few bright spots of the night.
With the win, Chelsea advances to the quarter-finals of the League Cup, joining the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Newcastle United. The draw for the next round will be held on Friday.
DDM notes that the victory is a relief for Maresca, who has faced intense scrutiny since replacing Mauricio Pochettino earlier in the season.
The manager’s emphasis on possession football and structured buildup play is beginning to take shape, but moments of poor discipline, like Delap’s red card, remain a concern.
Chelsea’s next fixture is a Premier League clash against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, where Maresca is expected to rotate his squad but maintain his insistence on tactical discipline and composure.
For now, Maresca’s message to his young team remains firm, winning is important, but professionalism and discipline are the foundations of lasting success.