Chelsea have been handed a blow with Reece James in line to miss the start of next season.
On Wednesday night, the Blues would deliver a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion that could prove to be their biggest of the season.
Goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku helped Chelsea secure a 2-1 win that has guaranteed they will finish in the top seven of the Premier League standings.
While a draw against Bournemouth on Sunday would guarantee sixth, and lead to Europa football, defeat and victory for Newcastle United at Brentford would leave European qualification hanging in the balance courtesy of Manchester United featuring in the FA Cup final.
However, it was not all positivity for Mauricio Pochettino's side at the Amex Stadium with Mykhaylo Mudryk needing to be withdrawn during the first half through a head injury.
James red card sours night on South coast
With 21 minutes remaining, Pochettino made the decision to introduce James for just his second substitute outing since undergoing hamstring surgery in December.
James had been brought on to ideal effect on Saturday, providing the assist for Nicolas Jackson's winner at Nottingham Forest, but that would not be the case versus the Seagulls.
With two minutes plus added-on time remaining, James kicked out at Joao Pedro after being knocked to the ground on the halfway line, leading to VAR getting involved.
The decision was made to punish James's petulance with a straight red card, with Chelsea subsequently having to see out the remainder of the contest with 10 men.
Danny Welbeck would halve the deficit in the 98th minute, yet the West Londoners were able to hold on for what could prove to be a pivotal triumph.
What now for James?
Pochettino has previously spoken about wanting James to finish the season strongly in a bid to earn a place in England's Euro 2024 squad.
Instead, the 24-year-old will now miss Sunday's encounter against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, as well as the first three games of the 2024-25 campaign.
That is a consequence of James already receiving a red card this season when he was cautioned twice during the 4-1 defeat at Newcastle United in November.
Unless Chelsea are involved in a qualifying round for a European competition, it effectively means James will not represent Chelsea in a competitive fixture until September.
James also ends this season, one in which he has spent as club captain, with two red cards in just 482 minutes of football, as well as serving a one-match ban for comments made to a match official when Chelsea lost to Aston Villa in September. body check tags ::
