Online Reporter
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said he is happy at the club after they booked a spot in the League Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win at Cardiff City on Tuesday, just days after he had voiced his frustrations over behind-the-scenes issues at the club.
Maresca had said after Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League home win over Everton, which ended a run of four games without a win, that he had been through “the worst 48 hours” of his time at the club and complained about a lack of support.
At the final whistle on Tuesday, however, Maresca was celebrating with the crowd as they chanted his name after a brace from Alejandro Garnacho and a goal from Pedro Neto put his side into the last four.
“I’m just happy, we’re going to play another semi-final and I think it’s what the fans deserve,” he told reporters.
“It was a great moment. In some moments when you don’t win games, they have been not happy, but it’s normal. But overall, the fans have always been there. These are the kind of games that I fall in love even more with the players because you cannot imagine how easy it is to slip, to slide, because they are tricky games,” added Maresca, who declined to elaborate on his comments from the weekend.
“I didn’t speak with anyone. I didn’t speak, no it’s OK,” Maresca said. “I always said that I’ve been happy since day one. So it’s not that tonight I’m not happy.”
Chelsea, who are fourth in Premier League and eight points behind leaders Arsenal, will next travel to Newcastle United on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chelsea booked their place in the League Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win at third-tier Cardiff City where the Premier League side needed goals from substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto to put away the courageous Welsh club.
“They were a very strong team. We weren’t focused on which league they play in,” Garnacho, who scored twice after coming on at halftime, told Sky Sports.
“They did a really good job but we’re happy to be in the semi-final.”
Cardiff were the better side in the opening half, enjoying plenty of possession early on and came closest to scoring through a deflected cross from Isaak Davies which forced Chelsea keeper Filip Jorgensen into a reaction save at his near post.
Chelsea, lacking urgency, struggled to get in behind Cardiff who were very disciplined without the ball, and the boisterous crowd inside the sold-out Cardiff City Stadium cheered every challenge and clearance from the home side.
“It was evident the players gave everything for the club,” Cardiff coach Brian Barry-Murphy told Sky Sports.
“It was an incredible atmosphere and a memorable night.” – (Reuters)
CHELSEA CHANGES PAY OFF
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca named an entirely changed starting 11 from the side that beat Everton 2-0 on Saturday, and after an underwhelming opening half he sent on Joao Pedro and Garnacho for the second half.
“Sometimes you have to start games and sometimes you have to help from the bench,” Garnacho added.
“We don’t focus on this, we just try to help the team. Me, Pedro and the rest of the players did that.”
Garnacho had the first chance after the break with Cardiff keeper Nathan Trott making a fine save from the close-range effort but the substitute opened the scoring in the 57th minute with Chelsea capitalising on a poor pass out from the back. – (Reuters)
