Enzo Maresca continued to play down Chelsea’s title chances after they heightened the pressure on Ange Postecoglou by fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Tottenham 4-3 on Sunday.
Maresca’s improving young team were left with a mountain to climb after making a dreadful start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs dreaming of a famous victory after punishing two slips from Marc Cucurella during the first 11 minutes.
Chelsea had to show character and their response was led by Cole Palmer, who scored two penalties when the tide turned during the second half. Yet Maresca has repeatedly refused to talk about the title race this season and he maintained his position despite his team moving four points off the Premier League leaders, Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
“After the game, my message to the players is to be focused in the day‑by‑day, our sessions, the next game on Thursday and then Sunday,” Chelsea’s head coach said.
“The main focus has to be to enjoy the day off and when we come back train well, go for the game. The fans can dream because from the outside it is quite clear and inside the reality is we are not ready. The important thing is we improve day by day.”
Maresca delighted in the mental strength Chelsea displayed at the home of their fierce rivals. Jadon Sancho halved the deficit with a brilliant goal before half-time and Enzo Fernández made it 3-2 with a lovely strike. “To come to this stadium and think you are going to win and not suffer, it’s impossible,” Maresca said. “It’s the perfect win because of this.”
Defeat left Spurs, who have not won since thrashing Manchester City last month, in 11th place. They did not convince defensively. Palmer’s penalties came after silly fouls by Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr. Bissouma’s challenge was on Moisés Caicedo, who could have been sent off in the first half.
“It’s a painful one,” Postecoglou said. “Both penalties were poor. It’s kind of self-inflicted. You’re giving yourself a mountain to climb. When I look at today’s performance I don’t see them lacking confidence and belief. Both penalties we conceded were desperation. They’re desperate to turn our season around. In that mode you lose composure and discipline.”
Postecoglou, who felt that Caicedo should have seen red for a lunge on Sarr at 2-1, caused a stir by recalling Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven from injury. Spurs have selection issues in defence and the boost of their first-choice centre-back pairing starting did not last long.
Romero limped off with a thigh problem in the 15th minute and Van de Van went off with muscle tightness, but Postecoglou insisted he did not gamble on their fitness.
“People are aware of our situation,” the Spurs manager said. “It’s not like we have a multitude of options. Both players trained well. You make these decisions with the best information.”
Postecolgou added that Brennan Johnson came off after complaining of feeling unwell. Maresca lost Roméo Lavia to a hamstring injury at half-time.
