Enzo Maresca remains ‘realistic’ as Chelsea close in on Liverpool

LONDON – Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said the chaotic end to his side’s 2-1 win over Brentford exemplified why they are not yet ready to compete for the English Premier League title.

The Blues closed to within two points of leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, thanks to a fifth consecutive league win on Dec 15.

Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson struck for the home side at Stamford Bridge before Bryan Mbeumo’s 90th-minute goal sparked a nervy finale. Cucurella was sent off in stoppage time, but the 10 men held on for victory.

“For me no matter how many games we win, there are things (that show) we’re not ready to compete for the title in this moment,” said Maresca, who has repeatedly shot down the idea of challenging for the title.

“A team who knows how to win wouldn’t concede that goal.

“The fans, they can dream and think. But us inside as a club, as a squad, as players, as coaching staff, we need to be realistic.

“I said we have many things we can do better and this (the red card) is one of them.”

But it was an ideal weekend for his side as Liverpool and third-placed Arsenal both drew at home on Dec 14, while defending champions Manchester City fell further off the pace with a 2-1 defeat by Manchester United.

Chelsea pushed Brentford back from the start of the west London derby, peppering 26 shots from just over 60 per cent possession against a side who have picked up only one away point all season.

However, Maresca was frustrated by Chelsea’s inability to kill the game as it was not until the 43rd minute that Cucurella raced into the area and dived athletically to head Noni Madueke’s cross past goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

It was the Spain fullback’s first Premier League goal for Chelsea. But his triumphant night was spoilt after the full-time whistle when he received a second yellow card for shoving Kevin Schade.

“We were in control of the game except the last 10 minutes where we concede,” added Maresca.

“We created chances. We could have scored more. We deserved to win the game.”

Ten minutes from the end, Jackson had squeezed the ball inside the near post for his ninth Premier League goal of the season after latching on to a pass from Enzo Fernandez.

Jackson said the players had listened to their manager and followed his game plan.

The 23-year-old striker said: “We did that. It was more difficult at the end because they wanted to score again.”

His goal gave Chelsea a much-needed cushion after the Bees came out fighting in a breathless second half, moving swiftly from last-ditch defending to dangerous breaks down the pitch.

Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Keane Lewis-Potter gave Chelsea’s defence some awkward moments.

And in the 73rd minute, Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez pulled off a spectacular save from Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard, tipping the Denmark international’s shot over the bar.

Three minutes later, substitute Fabio Carvalho’s shot hit the underside of Sanchez’s crossbar and bounced just before the goal line.

But Brentford finally got on the scoresheet for their 32nd goal in 16 league games this season.

Mbeumo halved the deficit in the last minute of regulation time to give Chelsea, now four points clear of third-placed Arsenal, a nervy finish.

While the Stamford Bridge faithful celebrated victory, Cucurella was being consoled by his teammates as he made his way off the pitch.

“Our second half was fantastic, and I think we were a little bit unlucky not to get something out of it,” Brentford manager Thomas Frank said.

“The way they celebrated the second goal and the win, it meant a lot to them – we must have caused them a lot of trouble, so I’m very pleased with the performance from my team.” AFP, REUTERS