Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has called on players to "learn" from a run of three red cards in four matches.

The Blues beat Benfica in the Champions League but striker Joao Pedro was sent off after Trevoh Chalobah and Robert Sanchez were dismissed in league defeats against Brighton and Manchester United.

When asked about the recent run of ill-discipline, Cucurella said: "We need to improve things. It's difficult to play with 10 men, but it is not an excuse.

"We need to learn that with 10 men we can suffer. The last game against Brighton, we played the last 40 minutes with 10 men and then we lost the game."

Cucurella is known to be an aggressive defender but has only been sent off once in his entire career, adding: "I put a lot of intensity to help the team and I think it is one of my qualities. I hope to continue in this good way!

"I try to give my experience to the team and help the young lads. When I arrived here, I suffered tough moments but it became better. That's football, you have to suffer the tough moments because the good moments always arrive."

New signing Alejandro Garnacho earned just his second start against Benfica on Tuesday and forced Richard Rios's match-deciding own goal.

Cucurella added that the red cards have held back the £40m summer signing from Manchester United.

"He is a very important player with a lot of qualities," he continued. "It is true in the league that we have had 10 men a lot and it is difficult to put on a winger because we have been mostly defending.

"I think today he had an opportunity and showed his level and that he can help the team. He had a really good game and I hope he can do it again on Saturday (at home to Liverpool)." (BBC)