Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was adamant in his demand for Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez to be sent off after a horrendous challenge on Cole Palmer. The Blues manager was left fuming after the match, where Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by the Red Devils.
Chelsea missed an opportunity to go to the third position on the EPL table. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring for United with a penalty in the 70th minute before Moises Caicedo scored an equalizer soon after.
Besides the result, Enzo Maresca was unhappy at referee Robert Jones’ decision to not award Lisandro Martinez a red card for his foul on Cole Palmer in the 93rd minute. The Argentine was only given a yellow card after catching Palmer above the knee with his boots, despite VAR assistance.
During the post-match press conference, the Italian manager angrily addressed the issue and also provided an update on Palmer’s injury. Maresca stated that Palmer had to tend his injury with ice and added that Martinez was only looking to injure the youngster with the challenge.
I think it is quite clear almost for all of us but the referees there did not take the decision and they made a different decision… when there is no intention to go for the ball and he goes for the player. It’s a red.
Enzo Maresca said (H/T GOAL)
Enzo Maresca on Lisandro Martinez escaping a red card for his challenge on Cole Palmer:
“When there is no intention to go for the ball and you just go for the player, it’s a red.”👀
🔗https://t.co/a6zlkygvq2 pic.twitter.com/TxEXjkHI2W
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) November 3, 2024
The draw sees Chelsea in the fourth position on the EPL table, with 18 points from ten matches. Maresca’s side will be hoping to bounce back when they face arch-rivals Arsenal in their next EPL encounter.
Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy plays down Lisandro Martinez’s foul on Cole Palmer
Despite repeated claims by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and his team for a red card for Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy played down the incident. The Dutchman, who said he did not view a replay of the incident, claimed that the challenge did not deserve a straight red.
I haven’t seen it. I saw it on the touchline and I didn’t see it as a red, but I would have to watch it again to give an opinion.
Ruud van Nistelrooy said (H/T ESPN)
Ruud van Nistelrooy on Lisandro Martinez’s challenge on Cole Palmer:
“At that moment I didn’t see it as a red at all.”😳
🔗https://t.co/lCNhSGposC pic.twitter.com/t0wRuE2wNt
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) November 3, 2024
The Dutchman has two more matches left in his tenure as interim manager, against PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester City in the EPL. He will then be replaced by Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim, who is set to fill the position following Erik ten Hag‘s departure.
