The delight was clear to see on the face of Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca when the full-time whistle was blown at Stamford Bridge following their game against Leicester City.
The Blues won 1-0 thanks to a stunning goal from Marc Cucurella in the second half, after Cole Palmer was denied from the penalty spot for the first time in his senior career.
Maresca urged for more support from Chelsea fans in response to their goal, with him safe in the knowledge that a win would see the Blues return to the top four of the Premier League.
Chelsea only had three days to prepare for the game due to their involvement in the Conference League, where they won 2-1 over Copenhagen in Denmark.
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea had to change game plan moments before win vs Leicester
This left him with more than one conundrum over who should start, although Maresca denied he would rest Moises Caicedo despite him being one yellow card away from suspension.
There was a return to the starting squad for Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill, and a first start in more than three months for Wesley Fofana.
Chelsea fans were wowed by Fofana on his return, even though he started in the makeshift role of right-back.
Maresca stated after the game that he was forced to make a change late into Chelsea’s preparation for the match, resulting in him being delighted by the result.
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He said to BBC Sport: “We needed to change the [game] plan before the warm-up and this is why we are so happy because we adapted. Don’t forget that Leicester against Arsenal for 80 minutes was 0-0. It’s not easy. We created enough to be one goal ahead of them.”
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Maresca’s tactical tweaks proving crucial for Chelsea
The Chelsea boss has started to make a number of key changes to his side in recent weeks, with them beginning to feel the positive effects of them.
Cucurella has far more attacking freedom than the early weeks of the campaign, seeing him become a regular threat in front of goal.
The boss has converted Reece James into a midfielder of late, with that being Maresca’s plan since day one. The club captain’s fine goal against Copenhagen showed just how capable he is in that role.
Maresca will be hoping to welcome Romeo Lavia back to his starting side soon, after the Belgian was on the bench for the Blues against Leicester.