Marc Cucurella was shown a red card for "adopting an aggressive attitude" after the full-time whistle concluded Chelsea's 2-1 win over Brentford. The Spaniard, who scored the opening goal in the game, was involved in a bust-up with Fabio Carvalho after referee Peter Bankes ended the Premier League match.

Cucurella was booked in the fifth minute of added-time and was then remarkably shown a second yellow card after full-time. The defender and Carvalho confronted each other upon the final whistle.

Several other players sprinted across to split them up. Brenford forward Kevin Schade was shown a yellow card during the same incident.

Bankes showed a red card to Cucurella, who will now miss Chelsea's visit to Everton on December 22. The Premier League have cleared up why he was sent off.

The Match Centre X account posted: “The referee issued a second yellow card to Cucurella for adopting an aggressive attitude. Schade was also booked for the same offence.”

Cucurella opened the scoring with a flying header from Noni Madueke's cross. Nicolas Jackson doubled Chelsea's lead with 10 minutes remaining before Bryan Mbeumo struck a late consolation for the visitors. Chelsea are within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, although the Reds have a game in hand following the postponement of the Merseyside derby last weekend.

Goalscorer Jackson said afterwards: "[It was a] very big win. Not an easy game. They're a difficult side to play against. It was difficult because they always play set-pieces. But we won. I'm very happy.

"Listen to the manager, respect the plan and we did that. It was more difficult at the end because they wanted to score again.

"We're getting to know each other better. Last year is finished, now we're concentrating on this year. I missed that one but I was thinking I'll get another one and try to score to help the team win. I did exactly that.

"It's all about getting more experience. I'm getting more confident. We're just trying to win every game and focus on the next one. I don't look at the table."

Chelsea are the strongest challengers to Liverpool's surprise title charge. This was their fourth consecutive victory and they are unbeaten since losing at Anfield on October 20. Maresca's side host Irish outfit Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League on Thursday before travelling to Everton.

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