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Maresca responds to viral video of seemingly angry Fernandez passing over Chelsea armband

Enzo Maresca has played down a viral video showing Enzo Fernandez appearing furious at half-time of Chelsea's win over Fulham.

The midfielder got on the score sheet in the Blues' 2-0 win over their west London rivals in the early kick-off at Stamford Bridge, but it wasn't all plain sailing as his side got off to a shaky start.

Enzo Fernandez scored as Chelsea continued their unbeaten start to the season

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Enzo Fernandez scored as Chelsea continued their unbeaten start to the seasonCredit: Getty

In a game filled with contentious refereeing decisions, the Whites looked to have taken the lead through 18-year-old Josh King on 22 minutes.

But the goal was eventually chalked off after a lengthy VAR review for a foul by Rodrigo Muniz in the build-up.

Chelsea eventually took the lead on the stroke of half-time through a Joao Pedro header, but all did not seem to be well with Fernandez.

What did Enzo Fernandez do at half-time?

Footage captured from the stands shows the Blues' captain on the day looking furious as he heads towards the tunnel at the interval.

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The 24-year-old can be seen running off the pitch towards a member of staff, who is said to be fitness coach Marcos Alvarez, with his captain's armband in his hand.

Fernandez then hands the armband to Alvarez, before gesturing angrily with a frustrated expression on his face.

Kieran Gill, the reporter who shared the viral footage, added that the Argentina international had been unhappy after Chelsea's goal.

He wrote on X: "Fernandez wasn’t happy after Chelsea’s goal, yelling at fans & bench. Andrey Santos had been sent to warm-up before half-time."

But Fernandez will certainly have been in a better mood in the second-half, as he got on the scoresheet shortly after the restart.

The Argentine doubled his side's lead on 56 minutes from the penalty spot, after another controversial VAR call for a Ryan Sessegnon handball.

Footage online shows Fernandez handing over his captain's armband to fitness coach Marcos Alvarez as he stormed off at half-time

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Footage online shows Fernandez handing over his captain's armband to fitness coach Marcos Alvarez as he stormed off at half-timeCredit: X: @kierangill_dm

The midfielder appeared unhappy, and gestured whilst speaking to the Blues coach

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The midfielder appeared unhappy, and gestured whilst speaking to the Blues coachCredit: X: @kierangill_dm

Enzo Maresca later played down his midfielder's actions in his post-match interview

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Enzo Maresca later played down his midfielder's actions in his post-match interviewCredit: AFP

And after the Blues held on for a second straight Premier League win, their head coach was asked about the footage circulating of Fernandez online.

What did Enzo Maresca say about Fernandez?

Speaking to talkSPORT after the match, Maresca admitted he hadn't noticed any frustration from his player at half-time, and insisted there was nothing wrong with him at full-time.

He said: "He is very happy. He was very happy at the end of the game, to be honest.

"I didn't see that because when we scored the corner, I left. I was already inside to change something, to prepare the tactical board to change something.

“So I didn't see that. But at the end of the game, I saw him very happy, celebrating with the teammates. So I think everything is fine.

"Enzo is one of our captains. He's a brilliant player and we are very, very proud, very, very happy with Enzo."

Fernandez has captained Chelsea from the start in each of their last two games

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Fernandez has captained Chelsea from the start in each of their last two gamesCredit: Getty

Both Maresca and Fernandez will certainly be pleased with Chelsea's final result, which took them to the top of the Premier League table.

The Blues have taken seven points from their opening three games, which currently puts them a point ahead of six teams on six points.

Bournemouth, Sunderland, Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal have all picked up two wins.

Despite this, both Arsenal and Liverpool have only played twice, with the two sides set to meet at Anfield on Sunday.

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As for Fernandez, his goal against Fulham was his second in as many games, having also netted in his side's 5-1 thrashing of West Ham last week.

The Blues will be looking to continue their strong start to the season next week, when they travel to local rivals Brentford in another west London derby.

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