Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek got his manager out of a hole after scoring a last minute winner against Cardiff.

The 23-year-old came off the bench to make it 2-1 in the 91st minute to secure a win for Maurizio’s Sarri’s side.

Fans are unhappy that Loftus-Cheek isn’t handed more starts under the Italian:

He’s so much better than kova and Barkley it’s appalling he doesn’t play more

— Hazard FC (@burnerszn_) 31 March 2019

He should fully recover from he´s back problem.. same like Ampadu who have many injury issues main reason why he don´t get play time

— soho (@sohofx) 31 March 2019

Our coach is stubborn and will never see it. He would rather bench him for good in the name of protecting his back.

— Mhofu Yemukono (@Shava_Muhera) 31 March 2019

For me it’s gotta be Kovacic Kante
RLC

— Kaleb Saunders (@ksaunders121) 31 March 2019

Broooooo i thought the reward of playing well was getting more game time. Sarri changed my mind.

— Kẹ̀hindé Wiley ?? (@ThisIsKennys) 31 March 2019

The old cigar man will still choose same set of players that will not give him result on Wednesday. No plan B coach

— Adeleye Muh’ Saheed (@Seedorf5162) 31 March 2019

Sarri isn’t about the reward game?

— Usuwana? (@_Usuwana_) 1 April 2019

Everyone knows this except the statue we have as a manager.

— Laredo (@laredo80) 31 March 2019

He’s been injured, pretty sure they just don’t want to rush him back as it’s a back issue

— Bradley Steele (@BradSteeleCFC) 31 March 2019

To be fair to Sarri, Loftus-Cheek has been suffering with a chronic back injury that has prevented him from playing more regularly this season.

Still, when he has been fit, he has barely got a look in for Premier League matches. He has started just once in the league, compared to nine games in cup competitions.

There’s no doubt that Loftus-Cheek delivers a bigger threat in the opposing box than Sarri’s other central midfield options.

The England international has scored seven times despite his lack of starts, one more than Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante have managed between them this season.