Maresca praises team’s resilience in a “tough” away win as the Blues climb to second, though pundits remain skeptical of their title credentials.
Chelsea continued their impressive run of form with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, a result that manager Enzo Maresca hailed as a testament to his team’s character in difficult circumstances.
The Blues broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Pedro Neto scored with a diving header. They sealed the three points deep into stoppage time as Enzo Fernandez found the net, capping off a performance where Chelsea controlled much of the match and limited the home side to few clear opportunities.
The win, Chelsea’s third consecutive Premier League victory, propels them to second in the table, sitting just three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Maresca expressed his satisfaction with the gritty nature of the win. “I am very happy with the way we competed,” he said. “It’s tough after the international break, 12:30, Burnley away, it’s always a tough game. To come here and not concede is very difficult.”
Despite the positive result, not everyone is convinced Chelsea are genuine title contenders. Former defender Ashley Williams offered a word of caution on BBC’s Final Score, stating, “I don’t think Chelsea are ready yet to go the full course of the season. I just think if you look at what Arsenal have done… the strength in depth, the experience of the manager, that tops Chelsea.”
For Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, the victory was a relief and a crucial momentum builder ahead of a daunting week that features a Champions League tie against Barcelona and a Premier League clash with Arsenal.
“It was a relief,” Neto admitted. “It’s always difficult winning away on this difficult ground. We had the attitude, we kept a clean sheet, so we are really happy.”
Looking ahead, he added, “We are looking forward to the next games because it’s the type of games we want to play. This one was a different one with battles. It was difficult to come here… but we are looking forward to the next game.”
The team now turns its attention to Tuesday’s European night, with Maresca confirming that Reece James’s substitution at halftime was a planned decision as they carefully manage the defender’s fitness.
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