Enzo Maresca’s relationship with Chelsea fans is deteriorating despite seeing his side claim a much-needed win at Fulham on Sunday thanks to Pedro Neto’s last-gasp strike
Furious Chelsea fans demanded Enzo Maresca be sacked midway through their side’s win over Fulham on Sunday. Maresca has endured a difficult debut season in charge, with the Blues’ brief title challenge collapsing.
They are now in a race to finish in the top five, with Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa level on points with them. Their hopes of securing a Champions League qualification place appeared to suffer a blow on Sunday at Craven Cottage.
The Blues had failed to win any of their previous eight away trips in the top-flight and those woes continued when Alex Iwobi fired Fulham into a first-half lead. The hosts held that advantage for more than an hour.
But 19-year-old Tyrique George came off the bench to equalise from the edge of the area with just seven minutes remaining. Three minutes into stoppage time, Pedro Neto fired in a volley to steal a win for the visitors.
While they were left in jubiliation by the last-gasp win, the relationship between Chelsea fans and their manager hit a new low at the Cottagers. Before George’s equaliser, they made their feelings clear.
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Around 30 minutes into the second-half, the visiting fans began chanting Frank Lampard’s name. The chanting continued for more than five minutes, in a clear demand for Maresca to be sacked.
Lampard has spent two spells in charge of the Blues, having earned legend status as a player. His second stint did not go well and he is now in charge of Championship Coventry City, leading them to the verge of the play-offs.
Even after Neto scored the winner, Blues fans displayed gallows humour to slap down any happiness Maresca may have felt. They could be heard chanting: “How s*** must you be? We’re winning away.”
Maresca only briefly celebrated with his coaching staff before heading down the tunnel. The rest of the players and staff continued to wildly celebrate without the Italian, though he insisted there was no animosity from him.
“I was very happy because it is a nice feeling to win the game at the end. The players deserve to celebrate with the fans, that is the reason why I left the pitch early. It was a nice moment for the players and the fans,” Maresca said.
“Very happy. First of all because I think we deserved to win the game. We started well in the first 20 minutes then we conceded a goal unfortunately and in a match that is must win, it’s not easy for the players.
“It becomes more difficult but second half, we also changed something tactically and it was much better. From the outside it looks easier but when it is a must-win game, it’s not easy for the players when you are 1-0 down. Second half we continued the way we have been since day one.
“The goal from Pedro doesn’t change the season. I said already, in last three years have never been in the Champions League spot. The goal doesn’t change it. It’s already a good season. The goal gives us a chance to be there.”
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