With a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca was happy to see his team get back to winning ways.
His team had taken the lead following a late equaliser in the first half.
Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke’s goals in the second half helped Chelsea end a five-game Premier League losing streak after Tosin Adarabioyo’s first goal was negated by Matt Doherty’s goal for the visitors.
Maresca gave his squad credit for their response to the home victory, which moved them up to fourth place, after they had lost their previous two games to draws after blowing early leads.
“The performance until 40 minutes was very good, then the last five minutes we struggled.
“They scored a goal and we lost a bit of confidence, which was something that has happened a few times this season,” Maresca told BBC.
“We need to learn to manage these situations better.
” In the second half we started well and scored the goals.
” Overall I think we deserved to win the game.
“We reacted well in the second half. After five games without a win it is not easy to do that. So it was important to win the game.”
Chelsea now has 40 points, four points behind third-place Nottingham Forest and second-place Arsenal, after finishing second just a month ago.
In response to a question concerning defensive errors, the Italian manager denied that his team’s inability to compete higher up the ladder was due to the 27 goals they have let up in the Premier League.
“If I’m not wrong only four or five teams in the league have conceded less than us. So why (ask about) a defensive problem?” Maresca said.
“I think the balance is quite good between offensive and defensive. Then you can concede a goal in any way.”
Maresca also defended goalie Robert Sanchez after the Spaniard gave Wolves the equaliser by letting Doherty score from a corner.
“Is part of our job when you make some mistakes,” he said. “Robert has saved us many times, it happens, no problem.”
