Kepa Arrizabalaga paid back his teammates by sitting out Chelsea's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, manager Maurizio Sarri says.
Chelsea's 4-3 shoot-out loss to Manchester City in Sunday's League Cup final was overshadowed by Arrizabalaga's refusal to be substituted with penalties looming.
Initially downplayed as a "misunderstanding", the world's most expensive goalkeeper was subsequently fined one week's wages and dropped to the bench as Willy Caballero took his place in a defeat of Spurs secured by Pedro's strike and a Kieran Trippier own goal.
"I think it was the right decision," Sarri said. "Kepa made a big mistake, he paid with the club and then he had to pay with the team."
Sarri insisted Kepa, a £72 million (Dh346m) buy from Athletic Bilbao last summer, remains his first choice, but he will share goalkeeping duties with Caballero in the next two games, with a trip to Fulham in the Premier League followed by a Europa League visit of Dynamo Kiev up next.
Sarri says Arrizabalaga discovered his demotion in the team meeting, while Caballero was untested as Tottenham's troubles continued and Chelsea's top-four hopes were reignited.
Spurs are third, seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand, and will be looking over their shoulders, Sarri says.
He added: "I think maybe with this result we could involve Tottenham in this fight. The gap is very large, seven points, but we have one match [in hand]."
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Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga goes down injured during the League Cup final. Action Images via Reuters -
Kepa gestures he is ok after he is called to be substituted off as David Luiz talks to him. Reuters -
Kepa then gets angry. Action Images via Reuters -
Kepa waves away the request to come off. Reuters -
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri storms away after Kepa Arrizabalaga (not pictured) refuses to be substituted. Action Images via Reuters -
Sarri heads off towards the tunnel while sub keeper Willy Caballero is left looking on. Action Images via Reuters
Sarri's position has been precarious and he does not expect the Spurs win to end questions over his future.
"I spoke with the club two, three times in the last days. The problem wasn't so big," Sarri said.
"It's not a big problem for me. In this job you are under pressure every week, if you're lucky every six months. It's normal.
"If you lose two matches, three matches in a row you're under pressure. I think it's normal for every coach, maybe something more in Chelsea."
Spurs next face Arsenal on Saturday after following up the Burnley loss with another at Chelsea which did not feature a shot on target.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino had a simple answer for his side's disappointing display at Chelsea.
"We didn't shoot and I think we were not consistent enough," he said.
Asked if he was concerned about Tottenham's top-four place, with Arsenal four points behind in fourth and Manchester United a point further back, Pochettino said: "It's not a drama.
"We need to be ready to compete and give our best. If we win, I'll be happy. If we don't win, I'll be as unhappy as I am now.
"It's about being calm. It won't change my assessment of the players.
"We need to support them, lift them and help them to compete on Saturday."
Harry Kane's composure slipped at times, including in altercations with David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Pochettino added: "He fought today, ran today and was on the pitch. Perfect level on the pitch, physically and mentally."
