Chelsea looked good for a fifth Premier League win in five games under Liam Rosenior, but Leeds United came roaring back, and Paul Merson thinks Rosenior is yet to fix an Enzo Maresca problem.
Chelsea were leading 2-0 early in the second half after Joao Pedro gave Rosenior’s side the lead with a gorgeous finish. Cole Palmer made it two from the penalty spot after a glaring error from Jaka Bijol.
But a six-minute period dictated the game. Normally so reliable, Moises Caicedo conceded a penalty for a trip on Jayden Bogle. Lukas Nmecha did the honours, scoring from the penalty spot for Daniel Farke.
What is he talking about? 🤦♂️
Sam Allardyce discussing Chelsea's Cole Palmer
Credit: Stu Forster/Ben Roberts Photo via Getty Images
Then, Chelsea’s defence decided to implode, and Noah Okafor was on hand to tap the ball home from close range. Palmer would miss a sitter late on, which Rosenior said was a one in a 1000 occurrence.
Paul Merson pulls no punches with Chelsea comparison
Rosenior has made a superb start to life as Chelsea manager. He’s guided Chelsea into the last 16 of the Champions League without the need for a play-off, beating both Pafos and Napoli in his two matches.
The former Strasbourg manager has picked up 13 from a possible 15 Premier League points. Chelsea are back in the top four race, and Rosenior is responsible. Even Palmer is loving life under the new manager.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
But after Chelsea bottled a two-goal lead over Leeds, a game which Merson predicted Chelsea would win 3-1, the Arsenal icon and Chelsea fan said Rosenior is yet to fix Enzo Maresca’s 90-minute Chelsea issue.
“In that first half, Chelsea were like the Harlem Globetrotters. Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and João Pedro were moving the ball so fast Leeds couldn’t get near them,” Merson said during his analysis afterwards.
“But then the second half happens, and you realise they haven’t changed a bit from the Maresca days. They still can’t put a full 90-minute performance together,” the pundit continued on Sky Sports.
Liam Rosenior is perfectly aware of Enzo Maresca problem
Before watching his side capitulate and fail to beat Farke’s men at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, Rosenior was already aware that he is yet to see a complete 90-minute display from his Chelsea players.
HOT TAKE: Marc Cucurella is MORE important to Chelsea than Reece James
Do you agree? 🤔
Reece James speaks with Marc Cucurella during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
West Ham scored two in the first half of Chelsea’s 3-2 win, Wolves netted on Saturday. There are still areas in which Chelsea can improve and Rosenior said after Wolves that he wanted to see a full display.
“Very frustrating. You always want to keep a clean sheet. The 10 minutes at Palace, the first half against West Ham, the first half at Napoli, these moments – I want us to have a perfect 90 minutes, that’s my job.”
Well, he certainly didn’t get that against Leeds, though some may argue that, actually, he was closer to it than he has been in any other match. Unfortunately for Chelsea, the six minutes saw Leeds score twice.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox