Enzo Maresca felt Chelsea reaped rewards for “getting your t-shirt soiled”, as they snatched a late victory over Bournemouth on the Vitality Stadium.
The Blues endured a gradual begin with their hosts producing the larger attacking menace for a lot of the contest, with Robert Sanchez conserving out Evanilson’s first-half penalty.
Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie additionally struck the woodwork for the hosts, however substitute Christopher Nkunku landed the decisive blow 5 minutes from time.
And Maresca was happy along with his facet’s response to a troublesome first-half efficiency.
“We performed two totally different video games,” he instructed Sky Sports activities. “The primary half, we struggled. We didn’t win duels, we didn’t win second balls. The second half, we had been significantly better.
“We knew earlier than the sport that Bournemouth are very excessive urgent, man to man oriented. We confronted a staff who’re very aggressive, it was extra off the ball that we struggled. [The] second half utterly modified the image.
“That is soccer. Final time towards [Crystal] Palace, we utterly deserved to win the sport. We had possibilities and we drew. At the moment, it was there and, in the long run, we gained.
“You can not come right here to this stadium and take into consideration profitable the sport with out getting your t-shirt soiled. It is advisable to win duels, you must combat. If we’re ready to do that for 95 minutes, you might have extra possibilities to win video games.”
Maresca handed a debut to new signing Jadon Sancho, who was launched as a half-time substitute earlier than offering the help for Nkunku’s winner.
And the Manchester United loanee lifted the lid on how he’s discovering life since his change to Stamford Bridge.
“It’s superb to make my debut for Chelsea,” he instructed Sky Sports activities. “Simply being again taking part in, I’m very grateful. The staff performed very properly, we dug in to the tip and received the three factors.
“I’ve been working onerous for this second, and I’m comfortable I received my probability. Going into this season, I wished to have a very good begin, and I’m comfortable.
“I’ve to say thanks to the workers and team-mates. The primary day I got here in, they made me really feel welcome and cozy.”
Instantaneous affect.#CFC | #BOUCHE pic.twitter.com/RSFcYJdqAp
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 14, 2024
