Enzo Maresca said it was “a moment for the players” to celebrate with Chelsea supporters after he left the field quickly following his side’s dramatic late win against Fulham.
The recent hostility directed towards the head coach and his style of play vanished the instant Pedro Neto’s superb winner hit the Fulham net in the third minute of stoppage time to make it 2-1 at Craven Cottage, just as the visitors’ bid to reach the Champions League looked to be fizzling out.
It completed a dramatic turnaround for Maresca’s side and could prove a pivotal moment in their season, coming just minutes after 18-year-old Tyrique George had made it 1-1 with his first Premier League goal.
Chelsea had been facing a damaging loss in the race for the top five since Alex Iwobi blasted Fulham in front midway through an impressive first half from Marco Silva’s side.
But the game ended as the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge did on Boxing Day, with the visiting team plundering two goals in the final 10 minutes to snatch victory from defeat.
“It was a moment for the players,” said Maresca, who did not join his squad as they toasted Neto’s winner with travelling fans.
“They deserved to share that moment with the fans. That’s the reason I left the pitch. I celebrated when we scored the second goal and they gave me a yellow card.”
Maresca has been targeted personally by vocal criticism from Chelsea fans during recent home matches including Thursday’s Europa Conference League defeat to Legia Warsaw and last Sunday’s home draw with Ipswich.
The atmosphere has soured as the Blues’ bright start to the season has given way to mixed results and a style of play that has failed to excited supporters.
However, Pedro’s winner – slammed past goalkeeper Bernd Leno after a superb first touch and clever turn from Enzo Fernandez’s pass – has changed the picture in the Champions League race. Chelsea are now fifth, two points behind third-placed Newcastle.
“The goal from Pedro doesn’t change my view of the season,” said Maresca. “This season we’ve spent all season in the Champions League spots.
“I was quite positive (at 1-0 down) because I think the team was creating chances. Sometime you also have to be a little bit lucky. I think Tyrique’s goal gave us energy, an extra boost, but the team was performing well.”
Fulham boss Silva, whose team can count themselves unlucky having had the better of Chelsea for much of the match prior to George’s goal, reflected on circumstances stacked against his team.
“It is what it is,” he said. “We didn’t have (Rodrigo) Muniz, we didn’t have Emile Smith Rowe, but this is our squad and we have to respect all of them.
“Carlos Vinicius has not been playing enough this season and when he gets his chance, he is going to give his heart but it is not the same as players who are playing more. Rodrigo is a big miss for us.”
