Sunderland pick up a late win against Chelsea.placeholder image
Sunderland pick up a late win against Chelsea. | Getty Images
Enzo Maresca lamented conceding from an ‘easy situation’ as Sunderland were beaten by Chelsea.
Chelsea fell to another late Premier League defeat on Saturday afternoon with Sunderland bagging a 93rd minute goal to secure a 2-1 win.
That strike came through Chemsdine Talibi as the Black Cats pounced on the break. The victory pushed Sunderland up to second in the Premier League after nine matches, three points ahead of Chelsea in 8th.
Enzo Maresca’s side have struggled to see out games this season with the team’s mentality also questioned regarding the number of red cards picked up by players. On Saturday afternoon, Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson pointed the finger at Robert Sanchez for the late goal.
Paul Merson criticises Chelsea goalkeeper
Never far from criticism, the Spaniard failed to clear the long ball and was then flat footed as Talibi slotted home. Commentating on Sky Sports, Merson said: “Chelsea are on the attack, Estevao loses the ball and it gets booted. As it gets booted, I think the goalkeeper is going to come out and whack it back up the pitch, I don’t see him anywhere!
“Brobbey gets the ball and he holds it up, and he holds it up and he holds it up and lets the players come. He picks out Talibi who is running in and he hits it first time, bends it in the far corner. Phenomenal goal, I just don’t know where the goalkeeper is. I’m waiting for him to come and he doesn’t come. This is brilliant centre forward play.”
Chelsea manager Maresca has maintained his backing of the error-prone Sanchez in the face of critics. Chelsea had made a summer transfer swoop for AC Milan star Mike Maignan but the Blues boss has since doubled down that he is happy with the options at his disposal.
Enzo Maresca on Sunderland defeat
Speaking after the Sunderland defeat, he said: “It can be an easy situation because we are two vs one, the striker has his back to goal. It can be an easy situation to defend, but in that case, we have to do better.
“We are always looking for a reason why when something is not working well. We always try to analyse game by game. We need to do better. We were not good enough. Lack of creativity. We didn't create a lot apart from the goal probably. We need our players to perform 100%. Even at 1-0, we lost some second balls and against this team, we need to win them.”
In other news, Enzo Maresca highlights 'very good' Sunderland's biggest strength ahead of Chelsea clash.
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