Marc Cucurella sent off before Chelsea team-mates lose their heads with referee

Chelsea were reduced to 10 men against Fulham at Craven Cottage after Marc Cucurella was shown a straight red card for a foul on Harry Wilson just outside the penalty area

Chelsea stars made their feelings clear towards the officials after Marc Cucurella was shown a straight red card for a foul on Harry Wilson in their clash at Craven Cottage.

The Fulham midfielder was through on goal, latching onto a long ball upfield from Bernd Leno, when the Spanish defender hauled him to the ground on the edge of the 18-yard-box.

The officials wasted no time in giving the Chelsea man his marching orders for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Blues players were furious with the decision with Tosin Adarabioyo, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez all booked for remonstrating with Peter Bankes.

Fulham boss Marco Silva was also shown a yellow card in the aftermath of the incident, though it’s unclear as to why.

The Premier League Match Centre would go on to explain the red card incident in a social media post, informing fans why no penalty was given.

They said: “The referee’s call of free-kick to Fulham and a red card to Cucurella for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Cucurella committed a holding offence that did not continue into the penalty area.”

New Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior was at Craven Cottage for the game, after being confirmed as Enzo Maresca’s successor yesterday, but opted not to take charge of the team.

Explaining that decision, the 41-year-old said: “Just travel. But mainly the fact that Calum did such an incredible job against Man City.

“The performance of the players, especially in the second half, the energy, the intensity, the quality that they played with.

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“They’ve supported the lads in a really difficult moment in a really good way. I flew over from Strasbourg yesterday morning.

“It’s a difficult timeframe for me to get in the tactical work that I need to get into to give the lads the best chance to win. I’ve got full faith in Calum and the lads to win the game tonight.”