Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca hailed his team’s resilience after a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over Tottenham on Sunday but admitted the Blues remain unprepared to challenge for the Premier League title.
The dramatic win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium saw Chelsea overturn a two-goal deficit, with Marc Cucurella’s early slip-ups gifting Spurs an initial lead. Maresca, appointed in the summer, acknowledged the team’s progress but tempered expectations.
“We are ahead of my expectation in terms of how we play on and off the ball, and the results,” said Maresca. “But we are far from being ready. Arsenal, [Manchester] City, and Liverpool probably don’t slide—like Cucurella did,” he quipped, referencing the Spaniard’s boot change after Tottenham’s second goal.
The win keeps Chelsea in second place, four points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand after their weekend fixture against Everton was postponed due to Storm Darragh.
Palmer Shines in Derby Heroics
While Jadon Sancho’s stunning strike sparked Chelsea’s comeback, it was Cole Palmer who stole the show. The 22-year-old contributed decisively, scoring two penalties—one a cheeky ‘Panenka’—and creating Enzo Fernández’s goal with a dazzling run.
Palmer’s form has drawn comparisons to Chelsea greats, with Jamie Carragher declaring, “He’s done more than [Gianfranco] Zola already in his 18 months at the club.”
With 50 goal involvements in just 48 Premier League games, Palmer is among the league’s fastest to reach this milestone, trailing only Erling Haaland, Andy Cole, and Mohamed Salah.
Eyeing the Future
Despite their current position, Maresca remains focused on gradual improvement. “The plan is to not let the players slow down. They know another player is waiting to come in,” he said.
As Chelsea continue their resurgence, their blend of youthful flair and tactical discipline under Maresca suggests a promising future, even if a title push might still be a season away.
