Chelsea fans flocked to social media to criticize captain Conor Gallagher for being sent off in the first half against Brighton, just a week after captain Reece James was also sent off.
Gallagher donned the armband for Sunday’s Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge with James sidelined following his red card at Newcastle, but the midfielder was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the first 45 minutes of play.
The Blues, who were 2-1 up at the time of Gallagher’s expulsion, held on in a tense finish at the Bridge to win 3-2 – but Chelsea fans had harsh words for the 23-year-old’s punishment.
‘Conor Gallagher RED CARD!’ one fan commented, beside a siren emoji, adding: ‘2 Chelsea Captains sent off in 2 weeks. This lack of discipline from our leaders is completely unacceptable FFS!’
Another was added: ”Gallagher Red, back to back games out captain sent off’, coupled with a crying emoji and an angry image.
A third said: ‘Our captains are actually mad you know. Gallagher from minute 1 looked like an animal unleashed. You could see him get a red a mile away.’
In the end, Mauricio Pochettino’s side did enough to secure all three points and move into the top half of the Premier League table, although several urged Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to make changes to the captaincy at Stamford Bridge.
‘This red card aside, I have and will never understand Gallagher as vice captain,’ one said.
Another wrote: ‘Such a reckless play by midfield especially by Conor Gallagher. Leading 2-0, giving away 1 goal and then red card. Pochettino should set this an example and remove Gallagher from Captaincy. Enzo [Fernandez] should be the captain, such a cool headed guy.’
It happened just a week after Reece James was sent off in similar circumstances, after picking up his second yellow card of the game against Newcastle while attempting to prevent Anthony Gordon from entering the penalty area.
Chelsea’s next game is against Manchester United on Wednesday night, followed by a trip to Everton four days later.