A good reason for Palmer axe

Enzo Maresca (above) insisted Chelsea's "unfair" schedule forced him to drop out-of-form forward Cole Palmer for Sunday's 0-0 draw at Brentford.

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London —

Maresca's side had 24 hours less than Brentford to prepare for the west London derby after beating Tottenham 1-0 on Thursday.

England star Palmer was eventually sent on by Maresca after an hour, but he was unable to break the deadlock, lifting his best chance over the crossbar in stoppage-time.

Although Palmer has struggled for much of his second season with Chelsea — failing to score in his last 12 games in all competitions — Maresca was adamant it was the fixture list that was behind his axing against Brentford.

"We prepared the game in the way it was. We played a demanding game Thursday night," the Italian said.