One of Jackson’s long-time critics is former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who featured on the TV broadcast of the game on Dazn.

He said: “[It’s an] unbelievable, stupid, stupid stupid mistake, I don’t know what is going through his head. You come into the game at 2-1 down and your team needs you and he does that.

“He did that at Newcastle, a very important game we needed to win to get to the Champions League. You can’t keep making mistakes. I don’t care what his frustration is, it is massive club, Chelsea Football Club.

“If you are annoyed that Delap is going to be the competition with you, if you are a big player you have to embrace it. We can become successful together as a team.

“Maresca must ask do I still trust this guy or do I stick with the player I brought into the football club, Delap? If he doesn’t trust him then it is time for Delap to start the game.

“It is the competition he is not embracing, he wants to be the only guy in the club. No, healthy competition is important. If he is not ready for it he shouldn’t be at Chelsea Football Club.”

Cucurella defended his team-mate, saying: “He’s very sad. He tried to win the ball, had the bad luck that he kicked his leg and that’s it. He’s a young player with a lot of quality but maybe needs to improve a little bit in these things.

“But he has to learn. After the manager spoke, he said sorry, he didn’t do it on purpose. He’s a very important player for us.”