Enzo Maresca says Brentford’s goal in Sunday’s chaotic west London derby is proof Chelsea cannot win the title - despite watching his side make it five Premier League wins in a row.
The Blues extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches across competitions with a 2-1 triumph over Thomas Frank’s side at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea dominated much of the contest and led 2-0 thanks to goals from Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson, only for Bryan Mbeumo to set up a nervy finish, with his 90th-minute strike leaving the hosts hanging on through seven minutes of stoppage time.
Brentford were unable to find a leveller, though, and the win moves Chelsea to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have one game in hand.
However, Maresca has insisted all season that his young team is not yet ready to compete for the title and says their failure to see out the result in more serene fashion is proof.
“No matter how many games we are going to win, I think we are not ready to compete for the title,” Maresca said. “One of the reasons why is because I think that teams that know how to compete to win titles will not concede the goal that we conceded.
“We conceded the goal on 90 minutes. From a throw-in for us, we concede a goal. A team that knows how to win titles, that goal they are not going to concede.
“I don’t know if you don’t believe me. I would love the pressure to compete for the title but we are not ready for many reasons. One of the reasons is that we cannot concede the goal we concede. It opens the game and gives them the chance to take a point here.”
Meanwhile, Maresca issued a positive injury update on Romeo Lavia and Joao Felix, who both missed Sunday’s game through injury.
A suddenly depleted squad was also without Benoit Badiashile, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Mykhailo Mudryk, as well as Pedro Neto because of suspension.
However, Maresca suggested Felix and Lavia will “probably be available” for next weekend’s trip to Everton.
