Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was “so happy” with the 1-0 victory of Chelsea over Leicester and said that supporters “don't understand how difficult it is” to win games.
It threatened to be a frustrating afternoon for the hosts, who saw Cole Palmer miss a Premier League penalty for the first time in the first half.
But the long -distance effort of Marc Cucurella in the hour sealed a huge victory for the blues, which jumped Manchester City in the top four of the Premier League.
Chelsea has indeed won back-to-back top matches for the first time since a series of five victories between November and December 2024, but it was made difficult for them.
Maresca, who previously managed the foxes before he made the switch to Stamford Bridge, revealed that Leicester's Back Three System overwhelmed him in the game.
“That's why I was so happy at the end. They gave everything and were incredible. It is not happy if you prepare for one and the other team arrives here, and it is completely different,” Maresca told Sky Sports.
“We made enough between the first and second halves to win the game. Marc scored a fantastic goal, but we had more chances to score a second one.
“It is not easy for the players because we had to adjust, and they did fantastic.
“Sometimes the fans don't understand how difficult it is. We have prepared the last three games in one and Leicester played in a different way. We need 12 players at home and I think we can be there.”
Three points at the bridge! #CFC | #Chelei pic.twitter.com/dtikf5i1w4
– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) March 9, 2025
Palmer's place kick, saved by Mads Hermansen, was his first failure in 13 attempts, so that the best Premier League 100% punishment was terminated.
It means that the 22-year-old did not score in nine games in all competitions, while he made 29 shots since it last found the net in the Premier League against Bournemouth in January.
Maresca insists that there is no reason for the alarm, revealing that Palmer had almost completely missed the game with illness.
“Cole is going to miss more punishments in life,” said Maresca. “From the outside it is hard to understand. He didn't feel good at night, but he wanted to be there to win the game. People have to understand the efforts he made to be there.
“The Leicester keeper is brilliant and everything is normal. We are happy with him with Cole.”
13 – Cole Palmer missed a Premier League penalty for the first time with the 13th he took, and finished the best 100% success record of the place in the competition in the process. Bad luck. pic.twitter.com/7ZWS4FMJ6K
– Optajoe (@Optajoe) March 9, 2025
Leicester only had three shots of an expected goals (XG) total of only 0.1 in the game, which came closest when Tosin Adarabioyo went on his own bar in the first half.
The Foxes have now lost five consecutive Premier League matches without scoring, but Boss Ruud van Nistelrooy insists that they just miss a bit of luck.
“A lot of spirit and heart combined with good football. The ball, a new form too. We looked solid. I can't praise the players enough for this performance, and they earned points,” he told the game of the day.
“We worked last week to prepare this on and off-the-ball form. It looked of course. We brought more support for Jamie Vardy. I was happy to see that, and it is something to build next week.
“The crosses have to connect to the box and of course you need some luck with the bar's own goal, and it was just not there for Jamie Vardy.
“They never gave up. I see them in training every day. They work very hard.”
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