Marc Cucurella sent off as Chelsea receive seventh red card of season

Goal reports Marc Cucurella was sent off for Chelsea away to Fulham after pulling Harry Wilson’s arm, a dismissal that gave the Blues their seventh red card of the season.

The incident began with a long ball over the top from goalkeeper Bernd Leno that released Wilson in on goal; Cucurella blatantly pulled the midfielder’s arm, sending him to the ground and earning a red card. The decision was checked and confirmed by VAR, with the Premier League’s match centre posting: "The referee’s call of a 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." Fulham failed to score from the resulting free-kick and Wilson later had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside.

Cucurella drew heavy criticism from Chelsea supporters online, and new head coach Liam Rosenior watched from the stands as Fulham seized control and took the lead in the 55th minute through Raul Jimenez to capitalise on the extra man; Chelsea did level before Wilson restored Fulham's lead late on. The red card underlined the discipline problems noted under former head coach Enzo Maresca before his dismissal and comes as Rosenior begins his tenure.

Key Topics

Sports, Marc Cucurella, Chelsea, Fulham, Harry Wilson, Liam Rosenior