Moises Caicedo saw red in the 38th minute of Chelsea’s clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge but Enzo Maresca’s side still snared a point in a 1-1 draw against the league leaders in a bruising Premier League encounter, which featured seven yellow cards.
Caicedo had a yellow card turned into a red by VAR after his studs went in on Mikel Merino’s ankle.
Chelsea actually took the lead when Trevoh Chalobah glanced a Reece James corner at the near post to score a fine headed goal, but a sublime piece of work from Bukayo Saka down the right teed up Merino to prod home the equaliser with 30 minutes to play.
With momentum with Arsenal, Robert Sanchez made a fine stop from Merino late in the game as Chelsea defended stoicly with a man short.
Arsenal remain five points clear at the top of the Premier League, which, considering they were without both of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, is solid result for Mikel Arteta’s side who are now unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions. Chelsea are a point behind second placed Manchester City in third.
“I felt my ankle go all the way but luckily I have very mobile ankles and body. I knew it was a horrible challenge and it was going to be a red card,” Merino said of the red card.
Maresca, when asked for his view, added: “I think he red card is the red card. I struggle to understand the different ways to judge.
“What about Bentancur to Reece? Why is one a red card and one isn’t? I think it’s a red card tonight, it’s clear. Why the difference? Is what it is. Moises is always the same way. Top player for us. The desire from him is to try and win the game.”
Elsewhere, Liverpool ended their dire run with a 2-0 win over West Ham courtesy of goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, in a game headlined by Mohamed Salah being left on the bench.
More to come…