Chelsea fans released their anger on Enzo Maresca during their match in Fulham while they were chasing, only for the blues from behind to win 2-1 thanks to Pedro Neto's Injury Time Winner
Enzo Maresca insisted that his fast outing was with the last whistle to let his Chelsea players enjoy their dramatic victory – instead of a pointed snub for the fans.
The blues boss gave a short handshake to his coaches and then disappeared through the tunnel, while his players Wild celebrated a victory that could turn their season.
“I was very happy because it is a nice feeling to win the game at the end,” said the blues boss, whose relationship with his own supporters could best be described as spiky. “But the players deserved to celebrate with the fans, that is why I left the field early. It was a great moment for the players and the fans.”
Nor was Maresca in any mood to admit that the beautiful winner of Pedro Neto may have saved the winner of the injury time the season of his team.
The Italian clearly feels that he has already delivered a triumph by leading his team to the edge of the Champions League places and a little more – such as actual qualification – is a bonus.
A Stoney face Maresca added: “The goal of Pedro does not change the season. I have already said, in the last three years we have never been to the Champions League places. So the goal is not changing. It is already a good season.”
Fulham boss Marco Silva was also not in the mood to admit something. Their chance to reach the top five has certainly disappeared, but Silva thinks that Europa League of Conference League places are still in their grip.
“We play finals every week, so this is a missed opportunity,” said Silva. “But we must be in balance in the way we analyze because there were also many positives.
“It's not the end, there is still enough to fight for.”