Enzo Maresca criticises Chelsea’s ‘very poor’ display after a 3-1 loss at Leeds damages their Premier League title challenge.
LEEDS: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca blasted his team’s “very poor” performance after a damaging 3-1 defeat at Leeds United on Wednesday.
The loss delivered a significant blow to Chelsea’s Premier League title aspirations against a Leeds side languishing in the relegation zone.
Maresca’s men produced a woeful first-half display at Elland Road, conceding goals to Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka.
Pedro Neto pulled a goal back after the interval, but a farcical late error gifted Dominic Calvert-Lewin Leeds’ decisive third.
“There was nobody at their best level,” Maresca said. “They were better than us in all aspects, they deserved to win.”
He described the evening as “a very poor night” following strong recent performances against Arsenal and Barcelona.
Chelsea were without the suspended influential midfielder Moises Caicedo, sent off in Sunday’s draw with Arsenal.
Maresca had rested Neto, Reece James, and Wesley Fofana, but his side looked drained from their previous exertions.
“I hope we just had a bad night because it’s a game where you struggle to take anything from,” the manager added.
Leeds struck early when Bijol powered in a header from a corner after just six minutes.
The hosts doubled their lead before half-time through a ferocious long-range strike from Tanaka.
Neto’s goal after coming off the bench gave Chelsea hope of a comeback in the second half.
Substitute Cole Palmer, making his first appearance in two months, almost created an equaliser.
Chelsea’s hopes ended with a self-inflicted error, as a panicked pass in their own area was intercepted.
Calvert-Lewin tapped in the rebound after Robert Sanchez saved Noah Okafor’s initial shot.
The defeat, Chelsea’s first in eight games across all competitions, leaves them nine points behind leaders Arsenal. – AFP
