Jean-Clair Todibo walks past Nuno Espirito Santo after being sent-off against Chelsea
Nuno Espirito Santo was left disappointed by Jean-Clair Todibo to get himself sent off against Chelsea and suspended for West Ham’s crucial games to come.
Todido was sent off for violent conduct in stoppage time in West Ham’s 3-2 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday after VAR intervened following the Frenchman’s decision to hold the neck of Chelsea goalscorer Joao Pedro.
It came during a mass confrontation between both sets of players shortly after Enzo Fernandez had scored what proved to be Chelsea's winner.
Todibo is now due to miss games against Burnley, Manchester United and the FA Cup fourth round tie against Burton Albion.
“I didn’t see the images,” Nuno said. “I think it was a big confusion. A lot of stress on both teams.”
Nuno was asked whether Todibo, who has been important in West Ham’s recent resurgence, should have known better than to get himself dismissed.
“Yes,” he said. “That is disappointing. But I have to see the images so I can judge properly what happened. VAR intervened. We don’t have him for the next games.”
Violent conduct: Jean-Clair Todibo grabbed Joao Pedro by the neck
Nuno is confident West Ham will be able to stave off relegation despite sitting 18th in the Premier League table.
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“There is a lot of football to be played. As long as we can sustain the level of performances of our first half, we’re going to win matches, of course.
“But, with all the respect I have for Chelsea, this match should have been ours.”
Reflecting on the reasons West Ham lost to Chelsea despite leading 2-0, Nuno said: “Our wingers were not able to defend their full-backs. At the same time, when they cross, we have to defend the box — and we didn’t.
“We allowed the Chelsea centre-half [Wesley Fofana] to step in, step in and cross [for Joao Pedro]. And after that, we tried to survive and we couldn’t.”