Enzo Maresca praised his Chelsea side’s resilience following their dramatic 2-1 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge, which saw the Blues secure a vital three points despite a tense finish.
Chelsea took the lead just before halftime, with Marc Cucurella scoring a header after a sustained period of pressure on Brentford’s defense.
The goal put Chelsea in control, but the match would not remain straightforward.
Nicolas Jackson missed a golden opportunity in the second half when he failed to score from an open goal, leaving fans and teammates frustrated.
However, Jackson redeemed himself in the 80th minute when he latched onto an incisive pass from Enzo Fernandez and finished the move with precision to make it 2-0.
Chelsea’s control of the match took a dramatic turn late on when Cucurella made a mistake that allowed Brentford to capitalize.
Bryan Mbeumo took advantage of Cucurella’s error to finish calmly past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, pulling the score back to 2-1.
The game was further complicated for Chelsea when Cucurella was sent off after the final whistle, leaving the team to defend with 10 men for the remaining moments.
Despite the late drama and numerical disadvantage, Chelsea managed to hold on to secure the win, much to Maresca’s relief.
Player ratings from the match reflected a mixed but largely positive performance from Chelsea.
Cucurella, who scored the opening goal and played well defensively, earned the highest rating of 8 but had his sending off tarnish his overall performance.
Moisés Caicedo received a rating of 7.5 for his key role in starting the attack that led to Jackson’s goal, though he was dispossessed in the build-up to Brentford’s goal.
Noni Madueke’s display was seen as uneven, but he was a constant threat and provided the brilliant cross for Cucurella’s goal, earning him a 7.
Jackson also received a 7 despite his missed opportunity, as he scored a vital goal to seal the win.
Cole Palmer, however, received a rating of 5.5 after a quieter performance, possibly due to limping early on in the match.
The rest of the Chelsea players had solid performances, with Robert Sanchez earning a 7 for his consistent goalkeeping, and defenders Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Levi Colwill receiving ratings of 6.5 and 7.
Enzo Fernandez, who provided the assist for Jackson’s goal, earned a 7, while Jadon Sancho, who came on as a substitute, received a 6.
Christopher Nkunku was not rated after his late introduction.
In the end, Chelsea’s gritty performance and ability to withstand late pressure saw them edge past Brentford, with Maresca and the team celebrating a crucial win.
