In the 38th minute of the English Premier League 13th round match, Moises Caicedo stepped on Mikel Merino's ankle. Referee Anthony Taylor initially showed a yellow card, but later changed it to a red card after reviewing the footage pitchside. This was Chelsea's 4th red card in 13 Premier League matches this season – double last season's tally.

After the match, Maresca admitted Caicedo deserved to be sent off for the dangerous foul. However, the Italian coach also highlighted the referee's inconsistency. He cited the incident where Rodrigo Bentancur was not shown a red card despite a rough tackle on Reece James in Chelsea's one-nil win against Tottenham earlier in november.

Piero Hincapie in an aerial challenge with Trevoh Chalobah, during Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, London, England on 30/11. *Reuters*

Maresca also supported Reece James' view that "Arsenal should have also played with 10 men", after Piero Hincapie's foul during an aerial challenge left Trevoh Chalobah with a swollen and bruised eye.

"I think Reece is right," Maresca questioned. "I don't object to Caicedo receiving a red card. But why wasn't Bentancur sent off for a similar incident? Why are there two different ways of officiating?" He added, "The referee told me the foul on Trevoh wasn't an elbow. But he had a bruised eye and had to ice it at halftime. Their decisions are inconsistent, it's confusing."

Despite being a man down, Chelsea unexpectedly took the lead early in the second half with a back-header from Trevoh Chalobah. Subsequently, the home team resiliently defended against Arsenal's counter-attacks, conceding only one goal, from Merino's aerial effort.

Coach Enzo Maresca gives instructions during the draw against Arsenal. *Chelsea FC*

Maresca was pleased with the team's performance both before and after the red card. "Sometimes you have to accept one point," he stated. "Playing 11 against 11, we performed better, controlled the game, and didn't allow them clear chances. Even with a man down, the players reacted excellently."

The 45-year-old coach particularly praised goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and captain Reece James, the two most outstanding players of the match. Sanchez made several crucial saves, while James played dynamically in midfield – a new position Maresca had been experimenting with him in. "When playing with 10 men against Arsenal, you need special performances like those from Robert and Reece," Maresca remarked. "We are happy with both their performances. Reece is in top form, but we still need to manage his physical condition."

The draw saw Chelsea drop to 3rd in the English Premier League with 24 points, one point behind Man City and six points behind Arsenal. In their next round match on 3/12, Maresca's team will travel to face Leeds.

Hong Duy (*ESPN*, *Chelseafc.com*)