Enzo Maresca slams Chelsea’s lacklustre performance after 3-1 defeat to Leeds
Chelsea’s Premier League title challenge suffered a huge setback as they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to lowly Leeds United at Elland Road. The Blues were outplayed for much of the game, with Leeds scoring two goals in the first half through Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka.
Pedro Neto reduced the deficit after the interval, but Chelsea conceded a farcical third goal to Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the closing stages. The defeat was a major blow to Chelsea’s hopes of competing with leaders Arsenal for the title.
Enzo Maresca was critical of his team’s performance, saying: “There was nobody at their best level. They were better than us in all aspects, they deserved to win.”
Maresca also lamented the absence of influential midfielder Moises Caicedo, who was sent off in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal. “I hope we just had a bad night because it’s a game where you struggle to take anything from,” Maresca said.
The defeat leaves Chelsea nine points behind Arsenal in fourth place, with the pressure mounting on Maresca’s side to turn their season around. The Blues will be looking to bounce back quickly, but it won’t be easy against a Leeds team that has shown signs of improvement.
