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Chelsea will be without Trevoh Chalobah for the team's Premier League encounter against Liverpool following his dismissal during the match against Brighton - giving the Reds a boost after their unexpected loss to Crystal Palace.
The 26-year-old received a straight red card after fouling Diego Gomez as the last defender. The incident occurred after an error from Andrey Santos left the Blues centre-back in a compromised position, forcing him to bring down the Seagulls forward.
Initially, the referee opted against sending him off, but VAR intervention reversed that decision. Confirming the ruling, the Premier League Match Centre posted on X: "#CHEBHA – 50' VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no foul by Chelsea's Chalobah.
"Referee announcement: 'After review, there was a clear foul by the Chelsea No 23. Therefore, it denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, resulting in a red card and a free-kick. Final decision is a red card to Chelsea No 23.'"
Enzo Fernandez had given Chelsea the lead, but shortly after Chalobah's red card, Brighton capitalized on its numerical advantage with Danny Welbeck netting an equaliser. Maxim De Cuyper and another Welbeck goal then completed the comeback in stoppage time to secure a 3-1 victory for Brighton.
Looking forward, while Enzo Maresca can take some comfort that the defender will serve just a one-match suspension, it comes for a crucial home game against Liverpool.
With Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Levi Colwill all sidelined through injury, Chelsea finds itself desperately short of center-back options.
Josh Acheampong was brought in to play alongside Jorrel Hato at center-back, despite not being fully fit due to a recent illness. Benoit Badiashile was also available but hasn't seen action since the Club World Cup.
Chalobah will be ready for Chelsea's Champions League clash with Benfica on Tuesday, although he'll miss the face-off with the Reds at Stamford Bridge.
Badiashile is expected to step up for that match as Tosin remains out of action. Fofana, following his concussion diagnosis, could make a comeback next Sunday if he passes all necessary protocols.
Meanwhile, Tosin is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a calf issue. "We have Tosin injured," Maresca confirmed during Friday's press conference. "He will probably be out until the international break as he has a small problem with his calf."
While Maresca has other options, it's far from an ideal situation given the upcoming challenges. The Chelsea manager also has significant worries upfront, with Liam Delap out, Joao Pedro dealing with ongoing issues and Cole Palmer still hampered by a groin injury.
"We have decided to protect Cole a little bit, in terms of his injury not getting worse," Maresca explained after Palmer was taken off early during the defeat to Manchester United.
"So, we decided to rest him for the next 2-3 weeks, probably until after the international break, to see whether, with rest, he can recover 100 percent and be completely fit."
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