Enzo Maresca has acknowledged that Chelsea must work on improving their disciplinary record after six players were shown yellow cards in the Nottingham Forest game, which has led to suspensions for two players ahead of their game against Liverpool.
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After the international break, Maresca will take his team to Anfield without…Continue Reading
Additionally, four other Chelsea players – Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, and Pedro Neto – were also booked, resulting in a £25,000 fine from the Premier League.
‘I said many times it is something we need to improve,’ Maresca said when asked about Chelsea’s disciplinary record this season. ‘But I like the team the way they are fighting and become a team.’
Two Nottingham Forest players received yellow cards, and referee Chris Kavanagh also gave James Ward-Prowse a red card for two separate offenses.
Despite having the numerical advantage for the final 20 minutes, Chelsea couldn’t capitalize, and Forest managed to hold on for a draw.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team went ahead shortly after halftime with a goal from Chris Wood, but Chelsea’s Noni Madueke equalized about ten minutes later.
‘I think we deserved to win,’ Maresca added after Sunday’s Premier League clash ended 1-1.
‘They are a very good team and we knew they would defend well. It was a tough and tricky game, very different to Brighton. We were patient on the ball and created chances.
‘Overall the performance was good and I think we deserved to win. Their keeper was the best of the game. We created chances and arrived at goal in the way we want to.’
Chelsea goalscorer Madueke, meanwhile, conceded he and his teammates were ‘frustrated’ with the draw.
‘They are a stubborn side. We went into the game with the intention to take three points but we couldn’t get over the line and it’s frustrating,’ the talented winger said.
‘They were defending pretty much the whole game and sometimes it just doesn’t fall. We go into the international break and come back prepared for Liverpool.
‘Credit to them, they are resilient with a lot of players behind the ball. They know if you give us space we are dangerous, having said that we could have scored three, four or five, but its one of those games.
‘It was nice to get a goal, I’ve missed a few chances recently. Of course, we didn’t win the game so it doesn’t count for much.’
Chelsea now have 14 points from seven matches this campaign and sit fourth going into the international break.
Rating Chelsea’s start under Maresca, Madueke said: ‘It’s a good start, just one loss in the league.
‘We’ve had some great performances with a lot of goals and we’re still conceding some sloppy goals. It’s a good start with a new manager.’
