'IT'S TEAM GUSTO, NOT INDISCIPLINE'

AS Ange Postecoglou was busy getting his cards in double quick time, Reece James was left to defend Chelsea's disciplinary record after a fifth red card in their last six matches.

- BY BOBBY VINCENT

Malo Gusto (circle) was shown red after picking up two bookings in the win over Nottingham Forest, which sealed Big Ange's fate after just 39 days at the City Ground.

Gusto's second booking came in the 87th minute, with the game done and dusted, for a mindless challenge on Neco Williams. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca was red-carded against Liverpool, Joao Pedro was sent off in the win over Benfica, Trevoh Chalobah against Brighton and Robert Sanchez was given his marching orders early into the defeat at Manchester United last month.

But James refuted suggestions Chelsea have a discipline issue.

“It's difficult, if you look at all of them, they're all very much different red cards,” the Chelsea captain explained. “They're not straight reds, they're double bookings. I was next to Gusto when I saw him going for the tackle, and it was a split second.