Enzo Maresca made sure to show some love for Nicolas Jackson immediately after Chelsea's stunning 4-3 Premier League comeback against Tottenham. The Senegal international has been in superb form this season but endured a difficult afternoon at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium despite his side's victory.
Cole Palmer scored either side of goals from Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernandez after Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski put Spurs two goals in front after just 15 minutes. Son Heung-min netted Spurs' third late on, but Ange Postecoglou's side could not find an equaliser.
With the victory, Chelsea moved up to second and four points behind leaders Liverpool after their Merseyside Derby against Everton was postponed due to adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Darragh. Though Maresca has been keen to not answer any title questions, he was asked if this was his biggest win.
"I don't know, to be honest. I'm not thinking about this," he admitted in a press conference. "For sure, it is an important win. First of all, for the way [Chelsea won]. To come to this stadium against this team and then concede two goals and continue with the same plan shows how the players in this moment are mentally strong.
"Personally, I don't consider this game as the biggest win. I've said many times, this team is going to win games against big teams and it is going to lose games against big teams because it is football. The only thing I focus on is how we can improve."
To ensure his players continue performing, on a number of occasions Maresca has publicly asked for more and while some may think that is rather brutal, it absolutely shows he cares and what he did to Jackson after the final whistle showed exactly that.
As the Chelsea players went over to the away end to celebrate the victory, Maresca spotted Jackson slowly trudging over with his hood up after being subbed off in the 74th minute. The Blues boss then made a beeline for Jackson, with the duo sharing a warm embrace as Maresca continued speaking to him.
Considering Jackson has been in the form of his Chelsea career under Maresca, it has become quite clear they have a strong bond, and little moments like this will go a long way to making sure it stays that way.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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