Cole Palmer suffers injury scare as Enzo Maresca brands Lisandro Martinez challenge ‘clearly a red’ | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca hit out at the decision not to send off Lisandro Martinez after Cole Palmer sustained an apparent knee injury after the Manchester United defender’s challenge late in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Martinez was booked by referee Robert Jones after his studs made contact high on Palmer’s leg as the pair contested for a bouncing ball.

The video assistant referee (VAR) reviewed the challenge and was content to stick with the on-field call, with Palmer able to see out the remaining minutes.

But the England international required treatment post-match and Maresca fumed at the failure to dismiss the Manchester United defender, suggesting that it was “quite clear” that Martinez deserved a red card.

“Cole was in the changing room with ice so we are waiting now. Hopefully it is nothing important,” the Chelsea manager said.

“I know I will be asked about the referee’s decision and I think it’s quite clear for almost all of us, but the referee is there to make the decision and he took a different decision.

open image in gallery

Lisandro Martinez (left) escaped a red card for his tackle on Cole Palmer (PA Wire)

“I told [the referee] at the end of the game that if you don’t go for the ball and you just go for the player it is a red. When there’s no intention to go for the ball and you go for the player’s legs, for me there’s no doubt for the decision. I think it’s quite clear that it was a red.”

Moises Caicedo earned the visitors a point with a fine volley after Bruno Fernandes had put Manchester United ahead from the penalty spot.

The draw took Chelsea into the Premier League’s top four, above Arsenal and Aston Villa, who both lost their weekend fixtures.

Maresca’s side face Mikel Arteta’s men in a London derby on Sunday after the Conference League clash with Noah at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night. Palmer has not been registered for the European competition.