Enzo Maresca believes his Chelsea team deserved their victory over Brentford, despite a nervous conclusion at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues secured a 2-1 triumph but faced intense pressure in the closing 10 minutes after Bryan Mbeumo scored and Marc Cucurella received a red card.
Chelsea took the lead just before half-time, with their full-back deftly flicking a header into the net following a series of crosses that put the Bees on the back foot.
There were concerns that Chelsea might regret their missed opportunities, notably from Nicolas Jackson, who squandered a clear chance during the match.
Faced with an open net, his first-time effort from a cross sailed over the crossbar and into the crowd.
However, the Senegalese forward found the net in the 80th minute, connecting with an Enzo Fernandez pass and striking it into the corner.
Cucurella inadvertently handed Brentford possession, allowing Mbeumo to slide the ball past Robert Sanchez with just minutes remaining.
🔵📈 Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are now 2nd in the Premier League. ✅ pic.twitter.com/CDa0NV8Fwb
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The Spaniard was subsequently sent off after the final whistle, casting a slight shadow over the match’s outcome.
Despite this, Maresca remained upbeat during his post-match press conference.
He commented: “We were in control of the game except for the last 10 minutes when we conceded. It’s a normal part of football.”
“We created numerous chances and could have scored more. We deserved the win.”
“It’s all about positioning; if you’re in the right place, you’ll get a chance.”
“We worked with Marc on his positioning for this match, and he executed it well. We’re pleased with the outcome, as it’s not something you typically see from a player of his size. We had prepared during the week for this strategy and fortunately it paid off.”
“After the Tottenham game, I mentioned that Jackson didn’t score then, but he performed the most crucial task. While others celebrated, he pursued the ball. He put in significant effort off the ball.”
“Only two teams have conceded fewer goals than us. Defensively, we are performing adequately. Of course, we would prefer to finish with a clean sheet, but the opposing team is always looking to score.”
He concluded with thoughts on the title chase, stating: “It’s not just about how many matches we win. We must remain realistic. There are areas where we need improvement. Therefore, in my view, we are not yet prepared.”
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