Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca slams decision to send off Caicedo

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has criticised the decision to send off Moises Caicedo in the game against Arsenal, citing a similar incident in a previous game that had a different outcome. 

The Blues played out a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the London derby at Stamford Bridge. They did it while having to play more than half of the game with 10 men, after Caicedo received his marching orders for an above-the-ankle tackle in which he was deemed to have used excessive force. 

After the match, Maresca decried the decision, citing inconsistencies in officiating. He also backed Caicedo, suggesting that he showed the right attitude for the game. 

"I think he red card is the red card. I struggle to understand the different ways to judge,” he said, per the BBC. “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. It's football. It's between Chelsea and Arsenal.

"You have to double the effort; that is the most important thing. We didn't change a lot on the ball. We tried to go to Liam. In open play, the idea was exactly the same.

"I think we are better than last season. We are closer. We'll see where we are in February and March and then we'll assess our target.”