Joao Pedro sent off as Chelsea dealt THIRD red card in four games

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro saw red against Benfica to become the third Blues player to be sent off in four matches. The Blues managed to end their recent run of poor form by overcoming Jose Mourinho's side 1-0 in the Champions League.

An own goal from Richard Rios after some excellent work from Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho was enough for Enzo Maresca to secure his first Champions League win as a manager. However, the Italian would have been left cursing his side's ill-discipline as Pedro became the third player in four matches to be sent off.

The Brazilian international started the clash against the Portuguese side on the bench, with Maresca deploying academy graduate Tyrique George and Leicester City loanee Facundo Buonanotte in his place.

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The Chelsea summer signing from Brighton and Hove Albion was introduced from the bench in the 61st minute and received his first yellow card a minute later. He was given the first booking after he overzealously tried to win a header from a throw-in and took out Benfica defender Enzo Barrenechea from behind.

In the dying moments of the game, he was handed a second yellow card for a high boot. While he did not make contact with Leandro Barreiro - who immediately clutched his face when the whistle was blown - the official deemed it to be a reckless high foot.

Pedro will miss Chelsea's next Champions League clash against Ajax at Stamford Bridge on October 22. The South American became the latest Blues star to be given a red card.

In Chelsea's 2-1 away loss to Manchester United, Robert Sanchez was given a straight red card for sprinting out of his penalty area and taking out Bryan Mbeumo with a reckless challenge. In their next Premier League match, Trevoh Chalobah was handed a straight red card for bringing down Brighton forward Diego Gomez while he was the last man.

The west Londoners would go on to lose 3-1 to the Seagulls at Stamford Bridge which saw them drop down to 8th position in the Premier League. With Benfica also continuing to threaten as well, Maresca would have been concerned going down to ten men.

However, his side managed to hold onto their slender lead to get their Champions League campaign back on track. The west Londoners desperately needed a win over Benfica, having been so convincingly beaten by Bayern Munich in their opening clash of the European campaign.

Chelsea's winning goal came off unfortunate Benfica defender Rios, who could not stop himself from diverting the ball into his own net. Neto, who tormented the Benfica defence all evening, cut onto his left-foot and floated a wonderful cross to the back post.

On the receiving end was the onrushing Garnacho, who slid in and cut the ball back across goal, resulting in Rios firing into the roof of his own goal while trying to clear the ball. Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez was required to make numerous saves in both halves to protect the Blues' lead.

The Spaniard, who was highly criticised for his red card against United, put in a solid display against Mourinho's men to keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge. Pedro's dismissal means he had been handed an automatic one-match ban.

Frustratingly for the Blues, they will not be able to appeal his dismissal, as this option is not available for players who are red carded for a second bookable offence.

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