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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will be missing from the dug-out for their home match against Everton after being banned for one game by England’s Football Association for receiving three yellow cards, the BBC reported Monday.
The 45-year-old Italian was booked for his celebrations following Pedro Neto’s sublime goal in added time, which gave Chelsea a 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday.
Victory propelled Chelsea into the fifth and final Champions League spot, above Nottingham Forest on goal difference.
Forest can go back above them if they avoid defeat against Tottenham later on Monday.
Maresca, whose two previous bookings this season were against Newcastle and Bournemouth, can return for the following game, also at home, against leaders Liverpool on May 4.
Assistant manager and former goalkeeper Willy Caballero could replace him on the touchline for the Everton match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Enzo Maresca has endured stinging criticism from Chelsea supporters in recent weeks after a series of erratic performances marred by his conservative tactics.
But the hostility directed towards the Italian evaporated at Craven Cottage after Pedro Neto’s superb strike in stoppage time completed a stirring Chelsea fightback to keep alive their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
Neto’s bolt from the blue could prove a pivotal moment in Chelsea’s season, coming after 18-year-old Tyrique George hauled them level with his first Premier League goal in the 83rd minute.
Chelsea had been facing a damaging loss in the race for a top-five finish since Alex Iwobi blasted Fulham in front midway through the impressive first half.
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