CHELSEA have triggered their second big fine of the season for ill-discipline in a fiery 1-1 home draw with Nottingham Forest.
But it’s not for a mass brawl, nor even for SunSport’s exclusive footage showing Nicolas Jackson appearing to slap Forest defender Morato.
Instead, the Blues picking up six bookings in a match means an automatic £25,000 penalty.
Just three weeks earlier, Chelsea received the same-sized fine – after helping set the Premier League record for most yellow cards in one game.
On that occasion the Blues earned six of the 14 bookings dished out – with substitute Christopher Nkunku nicking a late 1-0 victory at Bournemouth.
Four of Chelsea’s half-dozen cautions against Forest came in the closing stages, starting with a huge flare-up on 89 minutes.
Forest left-back Neco Williams sparked the ugly scenes by shoving counterpart Marc Cucurella into Stamford Bridge chief Enzo Maresca.
Our video of the incident captured tempers rising out of control near the dugout.
Backroom staff, both managers and subs came on the field, as well as Jackson, who had been replaced by Frenchman Nkunku not long before.
The Senegal frontman was caught on camera seemingly reaching towards Morato, before team-mates pulled him away.
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But Jackson escaped a booking.
Rather it was Williams and Cucurella, plus Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, who did get yellow cards for their roles in the brief mayhem.
All that came after Chris Wood had stunned the Blues by sliding home a 49th-minute opener for the visitors.
Noni Madueke soon cut inside to level – Cole Palmer yet again the provider.
However, a physical contest grew more tetchy, especially once Forest’s James-Ward Prowse was sent off on 78 minutes.
Having already been booked for fouling Palmer, the midfielder saw red for a second caution when he handled to halt a counter-attack led by Jackson.
There was still time for the widespread pile-in – with enough repercussions to earn the Blues a second £25k fine with 22 days.
But Maresca insisted: “I like the way the team is fighting – I don’t see any problems with that.”
CHELSEA were held by ten-man Nottingham Forest as frustration filled Stamford Bridge.
Noni Madueke cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener but the Blues couldn’t find a winner.
And frustrations boiled over with a mass brawl in added time.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Figg rated the Blues stars.
Robert Sanchez – 8
Excellent positioning to snuff out Forest counter on hour mark and made two sensational late saves to deny the visitor’s a winner.
Malo Gusto – 6
Wasn’t able to prevent Nikola Milenkovic’s flick on to set up Wood’s opener but he produced a great block to deny Gibbs-White in the box.
Wesley Fofana – 7
Forming a good partnership at the back with Colwill. Finally some consistency at centre-half for Chelsea.
Levi Colwill – 7
Made a huge block to prevent Yates in the first half. John Terry-esque defending.
Marc Cucurella – 5
Lacked attacking creativity down the left having filled in at centre-back at times. Failed to form much of a threat with Sancho.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Agonisingly close to getting ahead of Wood to prevent the Forest opener. Took the role as deep-lying midfielder in front of back line.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Still looks to be finding his best position under Maresca. Not a natural holding midfielder but denied preferred advanced role by Palmer.
Cole Palmer – 6
Looked lively when afforded space in the centre but the Chelsea superstar saw a huge chance saved thanks to Matz Sels double save.
Noni Madueke – 8
Constant threat down the right side with his goal well deserved. But the winger finds himself guilty of making the wrong choice in the final third.
Jadon Sancho – 4
Largely absent throughout the match with Aina doing a stellar job in keeping the tricky forward quiet. Lacked killer instinct going forward.
Nicolas Jackson – 4
Apart from pressing, quiet throughout. Slow to react in the box in a frustrating sign of inconsistency after recent goalscoring form. Spent more time arguing with team-mates at points.
Subs
Joao Felix (for Fernandez 80 mins) – 6
Christopher Nkaunku (for Jackson 80 mins) – 6
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Sancho 89 mins) -5
Pedro Neto (for Madueke 89 mins) – 6
Tosin Adarabioyo (for Colwill 90+3 mins) – 5
