Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has showered encomiums on his players following their stunning 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
The Blues fought back from a 2-0 deficit to grab the maximum points to go two points clear of Arsenal to solidify their second spot behind Liverpool.
Tottenham opened the scoring after Marc Cucurella slipped, which allowed Dominic Solanke to poke home in the fifth minute, six minutes later Dejan Kulusevski added the second goal after another slippery moment from the Spaniard.
The Blues completely dominated the encounter, Sancho reduced the deficit in the 17th minute but Tottenham held on to the lead going into the break.
The visitors continued their dominance in the second half but this time around they reacted with a goal, Bissouma fouled Moises Caicedo, which allowed Cole Palmer to make it 2-2 from the spot.
Enzo Fernandez gave Chelsea the lead in the 73rd minute, Palmer added the third goal from the spot in the 84th minute.
Heung Son Min made it 4-3 with a last-gasp goal but it was too little too late as Chelsea ran out 4-3 winners to continue their impressive form.
Maresca hailed the team’s mental strength after overcoming a difficult situation in the game to extend their winning run to four matches in the Premier League.
He said: “It’s an important win, firstly for the way it arrived, because to come in this stadium against this team and concede two goals, and then continue with the same plan on and off the ball, shows how the players are mentally strong.
“We are trying to work with the players on an off the pitch, but we’re also trying to work on mentality and togetherness. To come in this stadium and think you are going to win without suffering is impossible.
“For that, probably it’s the perfect win because two goals down, it was the worst picture for us, even if we were in control. We conceded two goals from Cucu, we created chances, we controlled the game, we kept the ball. At half-time we changed something tactically, and second half we deserved to win.
The Italian manager continues to play down a title charge, while urging the players to remain focused.
He said: “After the game, my message to the players was to be focused day by day, in the next game, because if you start to think about where we are in three or four games, it’s completely wrong.
“Enjoy the day off with the family and friends, and when we come back, go again with 100 per cent, train well, get ready for the next game and improve day by day.
Maresca described Cole Palmer as a top player after another match-winning performance from the Three Lions star.
He concluded: “Since we started, I have not seen Cole shooting penalties. In terms of the second penalty, he’s cold. He’s cold. The good thing about him tonight was Bissouma was marking him man-to-man, so he needs to learn how to play against a team that goes man-to-man with him, but he was fantastic.
“His pressing, his work off the ball. Nico, Cole and the two wingers.
“Because Cole belongs to that kind of players. They are not normal players, they are top players. Top players do things that normal players, or us, cannot do that. It’s because he’s top. We can expect this from him.”
Palmer now holds the best 100% conversion record in the Premier League after scoring his first 12 spot-kicks.
Maresca will be hoping they can continue their stunning form when they welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
Maresca Hails Chelsea Players For Beating Tottenham is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
