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Pundit Stuart Pearce said Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella's actions in the side's win over Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday (December 15) bothered him. The former Premier League manager went on to claim that the Spaniard was a key influence in the 2-1 win, hailing his energy throughout the game.
Pearce said (via talkSPORT):
“I thought Cucurella did well. I’ve got to give it to Cucurella (Man of the Match). His energy up and down the pitch, he’s got the breakthrough goal that was really important. He was a real irritant to Brentford. But he irritated me at the end of the game by getting sent off and going to the ground cheaply. I’ve got to give it to him, consistently he was very good.”
Cucurella had a lively fixture, occupying spaces high up the field inverting from his left-back position. He collected his first goal for Chelsea in the Premier League, heading home a cross from Noni Madueke to open the scoring in the first half (43'). He finished the game with five passes into the final third, two tackles, two clearances, and one interception.
However, he marred his strong performance on the night by getting himself sent off after the full-time whistle. He collected his first yellow card late in the game for a cynical foul before a clash with Kevin Schade after the game earned him his second. He is set to miss the Blues' visit to Goodison Park where they will face Everton on Sunday (December 22).
Enzo Maresca reacts as Chelsea hold on to beat Brentford 2-1
A jubilant Maresca heaped praise on his side." srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5906d-17343265541395-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5906d-17343265541395-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5906d-17343265541395-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5906d-17343265541395-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5906d-17343265541395-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5906d-17343265541395-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5906d-17343265541395-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5906d-17343265541395-1920.jpg 1920w">
A jubilant Maresca heaped praise on his side.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca lauded his side's passion and desire as they collected their fifth straight Premier League victory with a 2-1 win over Brentford. Speaking after the game, the Italian said (via the club's website):
"I am very happy, very pleased, especially because we can see the fans are happy and especially because we work hard every day to have that kind of feeling at the end of the game or during the game. It is just because of the players. The spirit they showed tonight has been unbelievable – the hunger and the desire to get three points. This is the right way."
The Blues were dominant for most of the fixture as the visitors played a deep block, aiming to frustrate their high-flying opponents. However, Marc Cucurella scored in the first half while Nicolas Jackson added another in the second (80').
Bryan Mbuemo pulled one back (90') but Chelsea held on to take home all three points. The result means they are now just two points off Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
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Edited by Parag Jain