Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca dealt huge suspension blow after Fulham as top five twist now confirmed

Enzo Maresca will serve a one-match touchline ban after being booked during the celebrations of Pedro Neto's late winner for Chelsea against Fulham on Sunday. It means he will miss next weekend's clash against Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Anthony Taylor showed Maresca a yellow card in the aftermath of a dramatic turnaround at Craven Cottage. The Chelsea head coach had leapt onto the pitch along with numerous members of his backroom team and playing squad.

. Tyrique George's first in the Premier League had levelled things just 10 minutes earlier.

Chelsea had been trailing for most of the game following Alex Iwobi's opener.

Despite the emotion and joy of the moment, Maresca was not involved in the post-match scenes as he went off down the tunnel quickly. : "I was very happy, first of all because it's a nice feeling to win the game at the end but I think it was a moment for the players because they deserve to share that moment with the fans.

"So this is the reason why I left the pitch immediately and then when we scored the second one I celebrated and this is the reason why they gave me a yellow card. But for sure I think it was a nice moment for the players and for the fans to share that moment, it's important and I said already many times, the players need to feel the support."

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Maresca did not touch on being aware of his impending ban. This was the third time he had been booked during a league match. The first also came from Taylor, who was in charge for Chelsea's 1-0 win over Bournemouth in September, a match best remembered not only for Christopher Nkunku's brilliant winner but also for holding the record for the most yellow cards in a game.

Taylor has become an enemy of Chelsea supporters (and managers) in recent years. He angered those in the Putney End again on Sunday and was drawn to sanction Maresca for his outward showing of emotion when Neto appeared to save his skin.

when he appeared to place some blame on the Stamford Bridge atmosphere for Ipswich Town's second goal in what ended up as a 2-2 draw. The Italian's style of football has also regularly been criticised by those watching on.

Chelsea's two goals here to secure a massive victory keeps the hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive, but only just. Maresca, though, believes Neto's goal doesn't alter much.

"Personally, the goal from Pedro doesn't change my view from the season," he said afterwards. "I said three or four days ago, and I will repeat, Chelsea in the last two years has never been in a Champions League spot and this season we spent the whole season there. So today's win doesn't change my view.

"It's already a good season and can become very good if we finish in a Champions League spot, no doubt. But for sure today was an important win because first of all it's a derby, second it gives us the chance to be there and probably was the most difficult win and the reason why is because they all played yesterday, so for us it was a must-win game. And I think after we conceded the goal is the reason why we struggled a bit more because for the players it became more difficult and second half we were much better."

A loss would have been catastrophic for Chelsea's hopes of finishing in the top five, especially after wins for Manchester City and Aston Villa on Saturday. Instead, the chaos in southwest London means that Chelsea could jump up to third when they welcome Everton, depending on other results.

City host Villa in a crucial match on Tuesday, one that Chelsea will no doubt have eyes on, whilst Tottenham and Nottingham Forest face off on Monday night. Chelsea host Everton on Saturday afternoon in the early kick off at home and know that it is a must-win game.

Maresca's end of season remains perilous with Liverpool and Manchester United still to visit SW6. There are then trips to Newcastle and Forest to finish off.

It is Everton next and a free midweek for Chelsea. David Moyes has enjoyed a fruitful return to Goodison Park and Everton have a good recent record at Stamford Bridge. Moyes himself has always struggled historically away to top six clubs.

Chelsea know that there is no room for error and they will have to win without their head coach present.