The clock read 94:30. Enzo Maresca paced nervously, his Chelsea side clinging to a fragile 1-0 lead. Then—panic. A hush fell over Stamford Bridge
Before the final whistle echoed through Stamford Bridge, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca stood in his technical area, pacing nervously. His eyes flickered toward the clock—94:30—seconds away from a crucial victory. As his team clung to a fragile 1-0 lead over struggling Leicester City, Maresca muttered quick instructions to his staff in Italian, his tension palpable.
Then, a moment of panic. Marc Cucurella clears the ball inside Chelsea’s box, but it strikes his arm before flying away. A hush spreads through the stadium as the referee deliberates. No penalty. A collective sigh of relief sweeps across the stands. Chelsea are still in front, but the job isn’t done yet.
Maresca can barely watch as the final seconds tick down. But when the whistle finally blows, his demeanor shifts instantly—pure elation. He turns and bear-hugs every player in sight, shouting ‘Vamos!’ to goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, who has just kept a vital clean sheet. Even a match official gets a celebratory shoulder tap in the manager’s burst of emotion.
This win means everything. For the first time since December, Chelsea have secured back-to-back Premier League victories, reigniting their fading hopes of a top-four finish.
Cucurella, the match-winner, is proving to be one of Chelsea’s most valuable players this season. His performances keep silencing critics, and today, he delivered once again. With the team’s attackers struggling to break Leicester’s defense, it was the Spanish full-back—operating as an inverted left-back in Maresca’s system—who took matters into his own hands. Receiving the ball just outside the penalty area, Cucurella unleashed a precise low shot into the bottom corner, leaving Mads Hermansen with no chance.
Yet, not everything was perfect for Chelsea. Cole Palmer, usually the picture of composure, looked out of sorts. His missed penalty denied him a record-extending 13th consecutive spot-kick conversion, but more worrying is his overall dip in form. Once Chelsea’s most confident and clinical attacker, Palmer now seems a shadow of himself.
It’s not a crisis yet—but it’s a growing concern. A brief spell on the sidelines might do him good, giving him time to reset both mentally and physically. If Palmer finds his rhythm again, Chelsea’s road to the top four suddenly looks much smoother.
Maresca has another major decision to make—who is Chelsea’s No. 1?
Sánchez, returning after a four-game absence, produced a solid performance, making three key saves. But just weeks ago, Maresca declared that Filip Jørgensen was Chelsea’s first-choice keeper. Now, with Jørgensen struggling and Sánchez seizing his chance, the uncertainty grows. Maresca said “the idea is not to game by game change the keeper” after Chelsea’s first in two consecutive losses to Brighton. The Italian tactician must clarify his stance soon—continuing to rotate goalkeepers could disrupt the team’s defensive stability.
Elsewhere, Christopher Nkunku was given a rare start but failed to make an impact. Nominally positioned on the left, he was meant to create space for Palmer behind Pedro Neto. However, when Chelsea needed a hero, Nkunku was nowhere to be found—just like Jadon Sancho on the opposite flank.
With Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson nearing a return, Chelsea’s attack could soon regain its bite. But for now, there’s a glaring lack of cutting-edge upfront.
This was Chelsea’s fourth win in 11 Premier League matches—far from the form of a title contender. Yet, in a chaotic top-four race, there’s still hope. Manchester City and Bournemouth dropped points this weekend, while Brighton and Aston Villa gained ground. Chelsea’s fate remains in their own hands.
The next three fixtures could define their season. A daunting trip to Arsenal, a fierce London derby against Tottenham, and an away clash with Brentford. Navigate those games successfully, and the dream of Champions League football remains alive.
For now, Chelsea fans can breathe again. Two wins in two. A return to the top four. And, perhaps, the start of a late-season surge.
