Cole Palmer Banned for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup Trip to Liverpool
Cole Palmer will miss Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool on Wednesday after his first professional red card triggered a one-match domestic suspension.
The 24-year-old was sent off in the 80th minute of Chelsea’s defeat to Tottenham, collecting two bookings in nine second-half minutes. The ban applies across domestic competitions, ruling him out of the 28 October trip to Anfield but leaving him clear to return for Chelsea’s next Premier League match against Manchester United.
Palmer’s dismissal
- Palmer received his first yellow card after clashing with Mateus Fernandes during a flashpoint.
- He was then shown a second caution by referee Chris Kavanagh for a late challenge on former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, with his studs catching the Spurs player.
- The dismissal means Palmer serves his ban in the Carabao Cup rather than the league.
Gary Neville said Palmer had lost control in the closing stages and called the second booking an obvious decision. The former Manchester United defender described the tackle as needless and said Palmer knew what he was doing.
Chelsea must cope without key creator
Palmer’s absence removes one of Chelsea’s intended central attacking options for the Liverpool match. Alonso said his side had planned to use Palmer and Morgan Rogers in the spaces between the lines, but accepted that Chelsea did not reach the required level collectively or individually.
Chelsea were beaten after Mike Penders’ own goal put Tottenham ahead and Mathys Tel added a late second. Alonso said the opening goal shifted the contest Spurs’ way and admitted playing with 10 men made the task harder, although he felt both teams created little.
The Chelsea manager said he had not seen Palmer’s incidents clearly from the touchline. He added that his players had been told at half-time to stay patient and show maturity, but conceded the performance could have been better.
What happens next
- 28 October 2026: Chelsea travel to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup without Palmer.
- Next Premier League fixture: Palmer is eligible again for Chelsea’s meeting with Manchester United after completing the one-game suspension.
