Suspension of Chelsea star Fabregas reduced by two matches

Cesc Fabregas has had his suspension cut to one match by the Football Association.

The Chelsea midfielder was shown a straight red card in Monday night’s 3-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion when he pinpointed a ball from the right side of the penalty area into Chris Brunt’s head.

West Brom players were milling around referee Mike Jones after a tussle between Diego Costa and Gareth McAuley when Fabregas fired the ball into the group of players only for it to striker Baggies midfielder Brunt.

Jones immediately sent Fabregas off for the incident, which was set to land him a three match ban, but an independent panel has reviewed the occurrence and decided to be lenient on Fabregas who had not been sent off since 2006 prior to Monday.

A statement from Chelsea read: "The standard sanction would have been a three-match suspension.

"However, following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing earlier today (Wednesday), the club's claim that a three-match suspension is excessive was successful."