It was a nightmare for Chelsea because of how it ended: the derby on Sunday against Arsenal. The team managed by Liam Rosenior lost 2-1 to the Premier League leader and dropped to sixth place, out of the Champions League spots.

Such a nightmare was the afternoon that Chelsea saw its seventh red card of the Premier League season, moving it closer to the record for a single campaign, held by Sunderland (9 in 2008-09) and Queens Park Rangers (also 9, in 2011-12).

Pedro Neto was sent off, the ninth red card for a player from the Stamford Bridge side so far this season. Plus the one for then-manager Enzo Maresca against Liverpool for his celebration of the 2-1 winner, in the 95th minute.

These are the nine sendings-off of Chelsea players so far in the 2025-26 season at a record pace. To the seven in the Premier League, add one in the Champions League and another in the Carabao Cup.

Robert Sanchez, on September 20, became the first Chelsea player sent off in this Premier League season. It was in the fifth minute when the Spain international goalkeeper brought down Bryan Mbeumo, who had a clear goalscoring opportunity. Filip Jorgensen defended the 'Blues' goal after Robert Sanchez's red card. Chelsea lost 2-1 at Old Trafford.

A tackle on Georginio Rutter cost Trevoh Chalobah a sending-off in the 53rd minute against Brighton. Initially, the action earned a yellow card, but after the VAR check, it was a red.

Joao Pedro's sending-off came in the Champions League phase, in the 96th minute of the match against Benfica, when he received his second yellow card for dangerous play.

On October 18, Malo Gusto received his second yellow card in the 87th minute for his tackle on Neco Williams. Maresca, then Chelsea manager, criticized the Frenchman for the sending-off.

Liam Delap's sending-off was in the Carabao Cup, in the 86th minute of the 4-3 win against Wolves. The striker received a second yellow card for pushing Yerson Mosquera and pulling Emmanuel Agbadou.

A tackle on Mikel Merino cost Moises Caicedo his sending-off at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League against Arsenal in the 38th minute. Initially, a yellow card was shown, but after VAR review, he received a red card despite playing the entire second half with 10 men.

In the derby against Fulham, Marc Cucurella was sent off in the 22nd minute, when the referee deemed that the Spain international, the fullback, denied Harry Wilson a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Against Burnley, Wesley Fofana saw his second yellow card in the 72nd minute with Chelsea winning 1-0. Burnley equalized in stoppage time. Fofana missed the derby against Arsenal through suspension.

The Portugal international saw his second yellow card in the 70th minute for a tackle on Gabriel Martinelli on a counterattack, and in the 67th minute had seen the first for dissent.

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