Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca would’ve expected it’d be easier to get goals against visiting Leicester City on Sunday, but they’ll take the one they got because it came with three points.
Marc Cucurella scored the lone goal at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues’ top-four push with an almost-required win.
RECAP, HIGHLIGHTS — Chelsea 1-0 Leicester City
Cole Palmer looked set to give Chelsea an early lead from the spot but the playmaker’s been ice cold in the wrong way and was saved by Mads Hermansen.
But Leicester gave the Blues an opening with a lapse in focus at the hour mark, and Chelsea grabbed it with both hands through the Catalan left back.
Enzo Maresca reaction — Chelsea boss speaks after Blues break down Leicester for important win
Why so animated after the win? “This is the reason why I was so happy at the end. They gave everything, unbelievable. It’s not easy for them when you prepare the team one way and you arrive and the other team changes completely. They did fantastic.”
Leicester’s formation change made it tough: “Marc scored a fantastic goal but we had more chances to score the second one or to score before Marc’s goal. But as I said it’s not easy for the players because they had to adapt immediately when the other team changed completely.”
Was Palmer’s missed penalty a sign of his low confidence: “Cole is going to miss more penalties in his life because he’s going to shoot a lot more penalties. From outside it’s difficult to understand. Yesterday he didn’t feel well. Overnight he didn’t feel well and was in doubt. But he wanted to be there for the team. Many people don’t know the reason in behind. … The important thing is that he continues to work in the way he works.”
How big of a difference can the supporters make? “Sometimes the fans don’t understand how difficult it is. We prepared in the last three days in one way. Suddenly Leicester played in a much different way. I said during the week, the difference between being a Champions League or not is especially at home with the fans. We need 12 players at home and we can be there.”
On Robert Sanchez’s clean sheet: “Last game at home, Premier League, we had clean sheet with Filip. Today we had clean sheet with Robert, so we are happy.”
