Enzo Maresca tore into Liam Delap after Chelsea’s wild 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves, calling the striker’s dismissal “very stupid” and warning his young team to “grow up.”
Chelsea looked comfortable at 3-0 up through goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estêvão, and Jamie Gittens, but Wolves mounted a spirited fightback. Tolu Arokodare struck early in the second half before David Møller Wolfe bagged a brace to make it a tense finish.
Delap, returning from a hamstring injury, was sent off late on for two reckless challenges just seven minutes apart. “After the yellow card, I told him four or five times to stay calm,” Maresca said. “But he plays only for himself sometimes and doesn’t listen. It’s embarrassing — two yellows in seven minutes.”
The Chelsea boss, who has now seen six red cards in nine games for his side, admitted his players “panicked” once Wolves cut the deficit. “It’s part of the journey — we need to grow up and gain experience,” he said.
Despite another defeat, Wolves boss Vítor Pereira praised his team’s second-half spirit, calling them “one of the best groups of my career.”
Chelsea now advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals to face Cardiff, though Delap will miss Saturday’s league clash against Tottenham.
