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JACK IN THE BOX
Shock new footage appears to show Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson SLAPPING Nottingham Forest rival in face in mass brawl
Chelsea will now have TWO stars banned for their next clash with Liverpool
NICOLAS JACKSON appeared to SLAP a Nottingham Forest player in the face during their draw with Chelsea.
The feisty Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge descended into a mass brawl during the closing stages involving players and coaches from both sides.
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The 88th-minute flashpoint was triggered by Neco Williams shoving defender Marc Cucurella into Maresca in his technical area.
Exclusive footage from SunSport shows the moment tempers flared in front of the dugout.
Members of the backroom staff, both managers and the substitutes even came onto the pitch as the fracas continued.
Among them was Jackson, who had been replaced by Christopher Nkunku in the 81st minute.
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However, it did not stop him from getting involved, with the footage appearing to show him reaching out towards Forest's Morato.
The Chelsea man is then dragged away by his team-mates as words are exchanged between the players.
Jackson managed to avoid a booking, though, once referee Chris Kavanagh had calmed the situation.
Instead, both Williams and Cucurella were shown yellow cards, along with Blues defender Levi Colwill.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Forest: Madueke shines again but hot-head Jackson too busy arguing
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
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VAR Jarred Gillett spotted Jackson making contact with Morato but let it go.
But that does not mean the FA will do the same.
Enzo Maresca insists identity of Chelsea is starting to take shape
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A fiery contest saw the hosts receive SIX yellow cards — the second time this term — which will result in a £50,000 fine.
But boss Maresca told his Blues bruisers to keep on fighting despite their disciplinary issues.
He said: “I like the team, the way they’re fighting. I like the way they are becoming a team. I don’t see any problems with that.
“Do I prefer it when something like that happens? I like the team spirit. I don’t see any problem.”
“I was in my area, so I was where I had to be.
“In terms of emotion, the team is fighting together. Someone tried to kick me, I fell down.
“But if you ask me about the team spirit, the way they are fighting together, I’m very happy.”
Defenders Cucurella and Wesley Fofana will miss the daunting trip to Liverpool in 13 days after both reached five bookings.
Chelsea and Forest are also expected to be hit by FA charges for failing to control their players.
But Maresca said: “We have the international break, time to see how we can organise.”
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James Ward-Prowse had earlier been sent off for the visitors after picking up two bookings.
As for the action, Forest took the lead through Chris Wood just four minutes into the second half.
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Chelsea did not trail for long, however, as Cole Palmer teed up Noni Madueke to equalise.
Neither side were able to find a winner late on, though, after the scuffle broke out on the touchline.
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