Chelsea land six yellows and FA fine in Forest draw – but boss Enzo Maresca hails fighting spirit

Enzo Maresca hailed his Chelsea side’s fighting spirit after they picked up six yellow cards during their 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo, Wesley Fofana, Pedro Neto and Marc Cucurella were booked by referee Chris Kavanagh.

Defensive duo Fofana and Cucurella picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season and will serve one-match bans – missing Chelsea’s trip to Liverpool after the October international break.

The Blues also triggered an automatic £50,000 fine from the FA for their six yellow cards – double the usual amount after they were previously fined £25,000 for the same reason after last month’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth.

Star striker Nicolas Jackson will not face retrospective action from the Football Association for thrusting his hand into the face of Forest defender Morato during a mass brawl.

Blues head coach Maresca said: “In terms of emotion, the team is fighting altogether – I don’t think some of them lost their heads. They were, all of them, in the game. I was happy with that.

“If you ask me if I prefer it when something like that happens, whether players from outside are involved or not, I like the spirit of the team. I like the spirit of our team. I don’t see any problem.

“I like the way they are becoming a team in these kinds of things. I don’t see any problems with that.”

Chris Wood gave Forest the lead after 49 minutes but Noni Madueke quickly equalised.

James Ward-Prowse was sent off for the visitors in the 78th minute.

Former Leicester boss Maresca said: “In the first 45 minutes, we didn’t concede anything, we controlled the game, we created chances and the performance was very good because you can become frustrated against this kind of team.

“Compared to Brighton, it was a completely different kind of game, so you have to learn how to play.

“In the second half, we conceded the goal and it became a bit more up and down. But we scored immediately and we were in control.

‘With the red card, most of the time we think 11 against ten is easier, but probably today it was more difficult because they were with a line of five with more players inside the box defending.

“Then you take the risk of doing balls and you concede the counter-attack or set pieces, and they are very strong [at set-pieces]. But overall, the performance was very good and we deserved to win the game.”