Chelsea Not Good Enough Against Sunderland – Maresca

The Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has slammed the team’s performance in the shock 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues endured a frustrating time at home despite scoring first in the encounter through Alejandro Garnacho’s goal in the fourth minute.

Sunderland equalised through Wilson Isidor, who scored from close range for his fourth goal of the season following Chelsea’s failure to clear their lines from a long throw.

Chemsdine Talbi scored a 94th-minute winner to hand Sunderland the maximum points.

Chelsea struggled to break the visitors down, who defended doggedly all through the game.

Maresca was disappointed with Chelsea’s performance in the encounter.

He said: “I think we were not good enough in general. We know that in the moment you drop a little, we dropped a little bit, you can lose points against any team in the Premier League. That is so difficult.

“We started well with the ball but we were losing the second ball and against these sort of teams you have to know how to deal with that and overall we were not good enough.

“It was not one of our best performances. You can drop points against any team if you do not perform at 100%

“It was the first time they shot on goal. When they bring seven to eight players inside the box it is very difficult but it is something we need to do better.

“We said many times that if you can’t win you shouldn’t lose. So we should have managed that better, but it is something to learn.”

Sunderland have enjoyed an impressive start to the season, winning five games, drawing two and losing two in nine Premier League games.

The team’s coach, Regis Le Bris, was full of praise for us players after they earned their first away win of the season in the Premier League.

He said: “We try our best to design a game plan for this game. I think it worked well even if we conceded an early goal. High press, they have this ability to exploit space with their players going one-v-one. Their players have many offensive threats so they scored early.

“With the ball we were alright I think. Without the ball it was tough but it got a bit better, the second half was really good. It didn’t feel like it was possible for them to score. We felt the momentum shift a bit and it was possible to score.

“The emotions in the club so far are excellent. It’s impressive. We’ve found this togetherness not only across the squad but also across the club with the fans as well. When the energy is like that you can create many positives, like this win today.”

Sunderland’s 17 points from their opening nine Premier League games is the best return by a promoted club at this stage since Hull City in 2008-09 (20).

Chelsea will return to action on Wednesday against Wolves in the League Cup fourth round at the Molineux Stadium.

Sunderland will hope to continue their impressive form against Everton next Monday in the Premier League.