Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that he was disappointed with the decision to send off Nicolas Jackson against Newcastle United.
The Blues succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in Sunday's Premier League fixture at St James' Park, an early Sandro Tonali effort and a long-range Bruno Guimaraes effort making the difference.
Although Chelsea were already 1-0 adrift, the pivotal moment came in the first half when Jackson was dismissed for a stray elbow when jumping with Sven Botman.
Despite the referee initially giving a yellow card, VAR advised him to upgrade it to a red, replays indicating that the Senegal international could have few complaints.
CHELSEA DOWN TO 10 MEN
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Nicolas Jackson is shown a red card for his foul on Sven Botman 🟥
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"Sometimes you get the feeling..."
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Maresca hinted that the St James' Park crowd influenced the decision of the official, even though it was VAR that ultimately intervened.
While paying credit to Chelsea's second-half performance, the Italian said: "Difficult. It's already difficult 11 v 11 in this stadium, against this team so playing an hour with 10 players is not easy.
"But second half the team showed a lot of spirit, togetherness and it's from there we need to keep the same feeling and energy for Friday's game."
He added: "The only thing I can say is that sometimes it is too easy to take some decisions in some stadiums. But if the referee says it's a red, it's a red.
"Sometimes you get the feeling that some decisions are from the noise."
© Imago
What now?
With Chelsea realistically having no chance of winning an appeal over the decision, Jackson will now serve a three-match ban, starting with the final two Premier League fixtures of 2024-25.
Assuming that he is still at Stamford Bridge next season, the frontman will also be missing from the opening game of 2025-26 in August.
As a result, Jackson will be unavailable for selection until Chelsea square off against Real Betis in the Conference League final on May 28.
Before then, the West Londoners conclude the top-flight campaign with games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, matches that they will likely have to win to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League table.
Darren Plant
