Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that Nottingham Forest having a player sent off made life more difficult for his side in Sunday's 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
The Blues went into the contest at Stamford Bridge on the back of five successive wins in all competitions and with the opportunity to remain within two points of leaders Liverpool.
However, after a goalless first half, Chelsea found themselves behind to a Chris Wood goal, leaving them with an uphill task to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.
Noni Madueke's equaliser seven minutes later and James Ward-Prowse's late red card gave Maresca's side the chance to claim all three points during the closing stages.
Nevertheless, Robert Sanchez was called upon to make two fine saves to ensure that Chelsea at least earned a share of the spoils before the international break.
What did Maresca have to say?
Speaking to reporters after the match, Maresca felt that Chelsea would have been deserving winners had they found a late winner against the East Midlands outfit.
That said, the Italian claimed that Forest had an easier way of defending against his side once Ward-Prowse had been sent off and players had been dropped deeper by Nuno Espirito Santo.
As quoted by football.london, Maresca said: "I think first 45 minutes we didn't concede nothing, we controlled the game, created the chances and the performance was very good because you can get frustrated against this kind of team.
"But, as I said, compared to the Brighton game it's a completely different kind of game so you need to learn how to play. I thought first half was top and then second half we concede the goal and become a little bit more up and down. After we score immediately and then again we were in control.
"Probably the red card we think most of the time that 11 vs. 10 is more easy but probably today was even more difficult as they were a line of five with more players inside the box defending.
"Then you take the risk to lose some balls and you concede counter attacks or set-pieces that they are very strong. But overall I thought the performance was very good and I think we deserved to win the game.
What next for Chelsea?
Chelsea head into the October international sitting in fourth position in the standings, four points adrift of leaders Liverpool who are their next opponents on October 20.
The trip to Anfield is followed by an away encounter with Panathinaikos in the Conference League before back-to-back fixtures against Newcastle United in the Premier League and EFL Cup. body check tags ::
