Jackson let his teammates downJackson let his teammates down
Jackson let his teammates down | Getty Images
Chelsea could be without their star striker for the rest of the season.
Nicolas Jackson has been slammed by pundits after his irresponsible red card in Chelsea’s huge top five six-pointer with Newcastle United. The Blues got off to the worst possible start at St James’ Park, conceding a Sandro Tonali goal after just two minutes.
Enzo Maresca’s men were not at their best in the first half, but their job was made much more difficult after striker Nicolas Jackson, a player Chelsea rely heavily upon, was sent off after 35 minutes. Jackson caught Sven Botman with a nasty-looking elbow to the face, and despite the referee giving a yellow card, it was reviewed and upgraded to a red, with Jackson seemingly holding plenty of intention in what he did.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, pundit Clinton Morrison said of the striker’s red card: “He has let his team down in this game and for the rest of the season. He has completely lost his head."
Meanwhile, Dean Ashton added: “It is clear. He caught him square in the face. It is a terrible challenge. He looked across and caught him flush in the face. It is mindless. He has forced his arm into Botman."
The bigger issue for Chelsea is that Jackson is now likely to miss the rest of the season with a three-match ban likely under serious foul play. If that is the case, the striker will miss the remaining Premier League games, against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. He would, however, be available for the Conference League final with Real Betis, given domestic suspensions do not count for European games.
Should Chelsea go on to lose the game, they would remain in fifth place but with Aston Villa just goal difference behind them having played the same number of games, while Nottingham Forest could go one point ahead by winning their game in-hand against East Midlands rivals Leicester City later on Sunday.
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