Enzo Maresca reveals Cole Palmer injury concern after ‘clear red’ challenge

Enzo Maresca has blasted the decision not to send off Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez for his challenge on Cole Palmer with Chelsea hopeful their star has avoided injury.

The Blues held United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday with Moises Caicedo’s strike cancelling out Bruno Fernandes’ second-half penalty.

Late on in the game, Martinez was shown a yellow card for a heavy challenge on Palmer, who clipped the ball over the Argentine with a wonderful piece of skill before being clattered.

Martinez’s studs made contact with Palmer’s left knee but after a VAR check, referee Robert Jones was not advised to review the incident.

Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Frank Lampard were in agreement Martinez was very lucky not to have been sent off.

Speaking after the game, Maresca explained Palmer will undergo further assessment and while he is hopeful there is no injury, the Italian was convinced Martinez should have walked.  

‘He was in the changing room with ice. We are waiting now. Hopefully it is nothing,’ Maresca said.

‘And then I know that you are going to ask me about the referee decision. They showed me before the press conference and it quite clear but the referee took a different decision.

‘It was not the intention to go for the ball. He goes for the legs. There is no doubt about the decision. I think it is quite clearly a red.’

Assessing the challenge, former United captain Keane said: ‘He won’t be happy with Cole Palmer making a fool of him, it’s a great piece of skill. And it’s a nasty tackle.

‘He’s a lucky boy. He doesn’t catch him properly, it’s down the side of his leg. But if he got sent off I’d say no complaints.’

Fellow pundit and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard added: ‘I would say it’s a red card for intention. He does get proper contact on him. He knew he was late and said “I’ll leave a bit on you.”’