Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has called for a change in the VAR rules after a controversial decision during the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Maresca, who is still searching for his first win at the Blues’ home ground, expressed frustration after a second-half incident involving Palace midfielder Will Hughes, who was already on a yellow card.

Chelsea took an early lead through Nicolas Jackson’s first-half goal, but Eberechi Eze’s stunning strike after the break saw the points shared.

The result means Chelsea have only secured one victory from their opening three Premier League matches this season and just two wins in their first five games across all competitions.

Maresca was particularly irked by referee Jarred Gillett’s decision not to send Hughes off, after the Palace player brought down Chelsea’s Cole Palmer on the edge of the box shortly after the break.

The home fans and Maresca expected a second yellow and a consequent red card, but Gillett opted not to brandish the card.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner swiftly substituted Hughes for Cheick Doucoure, who played a crucial role in setting up Eze’s equaliser.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Maresca said: “We were 1-0 up, that was probably a second yellow card, and the game would have changed.

“The reaction from their bench to change him immediately was quite clear, but the referee saw it differently, so I have nothing to say.”

He added that the fourth official explained the referee did not deem Hughes’ foul to be worthy of a second yellow. The incident highlighted the limitations of the current VAR system, which does not allow video assistants to review potential second yellow card offences.

When asked whether VAR should be empowered to assess such situations, Maresca responded: “I think so. I think it is the correct way. If you ask me, there is not much to add; it was a second yellow card and a red card. The only one thinking differently was the referee, but he is the one who decides.”

Maresca’s call for VAR reform follows a similar controversy on Saturday when Arsenal’s Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton, with no VAR intervention permitted for the yellow card that led to his dismissal.