Enzo Maresca applauded Chelsea’s gritty display after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge kept their Champions League hopes intact.
Nicolas Jackson ended his goal drought, scoring his first goal since December with a powerful first-half strike from 20 yards. The goal was enough to lift Chelsea back into the Premier League’s top five as they continue their push for a European spot next season.
The win marked Chelsea’s third in their last five league matches, easing some of the growing pressure on Maresca, whose tactical approach has faced criticism during a shaky second half of the season.
Despite dominating the first half, Chelsea had to dig deep in the closing stages. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez delivered two crucial saves to secure the win—first stopping Beto and later producing a remarkable reaction save to deny Dwight McNeil in stoppage time.
Maresca praised his team’s mentality and resilience, especially in the face of mounting pressure.
“We controlled the first half well—we dominated, created chances, and didn’t concede anything,” he said. “In the second half, we dropped a little bit, but we stayed strong and showed the nastiness needed in games like this. Overall, we deserved the win and we’re happy.”
Sanchez, often under fire this season for high-profile errors, justified Maresca’s continued faith with a standout performance.
“You could see how much it meant—the way his teammates celebrated with him at the end,” Maresca added. “It’s been a tough period for Robert, but he’s had some important moments for us, like the one against Tottenham. It’s easy to remember the mistakes, but he’s also made some great saves.”
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