Nicolas Jackson was sent off for ‘serious foul play’ during Chelsea’s damaging Premier League defeat to top-five rivals Newcastle United.
Hoping to return from St James’ Park with a result to boost their Champions League qualification hopes, Chelsea were instead beaten 2-0 by Newcastle.
Newcastle made a characteristically fast start to the game and took the lead after just two minutes through Sandro Tonali.
Chelsea’s task was made even harder when Jackson was sent off for a needless forearm smash on Newcastle defender Sven Botman.
Referee John Brooks initially gave Jackson a yellow card but was advised to consult the pitchside monitor by VAR and upgraded his decision to a red.
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Chelsea rallied from the blow to create some chances in the second half but the hosts put the game to bed thanks to Bruno Guimaraes’ injury-time deflected goal.
The win sees Newcastle climb to third in the Premier League on 66 points, while Chelsea stay fifth on 63. The top-five will all qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Explaining why Jackson was sent off, the PGMOL said: ‘VAR checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Jackson – and deemed that the challenge by Jackson on Botman was a serious foul play offence, therefore recommended an on-field review. The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.’
Jackson’s red card comes with a three-game ban, meaning he will miss Chelsea’s final two Premier League games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
The Senegal striker will also be suspended for Chelsea’s first league game next season, but will be permitted to feature in the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis on May 28.
Jackson’s absence means Enzo Maresca may be without a recognised striker for Chelsea’s final two league games.
Asked for his thoughts on the red card, Maresca said: ‘It’s already difficult 11 v 11 in this stadium, against this team. Playing one hour with 10 players has not been easy.
‘I think the second half the team showed spirit, togetherness. I think it is from there we need to keep the same feeling, same energy for Friday’s game.
‘The only thing I can say is that sometimes it’s too easy to take some decision in some stadiums. If the referee decides for red it’s a red.
‘Some times in this stadium you have the feeling that some decisions are from the noise. Again, if the referee decides it’s a red card, it’s a red card.’
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, revealed how Jackson reacted to his first-half dismissal.
‘He didn’t say anything,’ he said. ‘I think he’s a bit upset. He wants to help the team but these things happen.
‘Maybe with 11 players all the game maybe we can do the comeback. Things can happen. Now we can’t do anything and we need to learn about this.
‘All of the players are important. Now we lose Nico for the next games. It’s a big mistake but the good thing is we have other players ready.
‘All of us, we need to be important. Now is the moment to forget this game and think about the next one.’
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