Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea’s season is an improvement and ‘not a failure’

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said his first season in charge has not been a failure and suggested critics have chosen not to acknowledge the progress made by his team.

Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 win against Fulham gave a timely boost in the race to qualify for the Champions League but supporters were made to sweat at Craven Cottage, their side trailing 1-0 for much of the west London derby before Tyrique George and Pedro Neto’s late goals snatched victory.

It briefly moved the Blues back into the top five though they have since relinquished that spot to Nottingham Forest, and with only six wins in their last 17 Premier League games they face a fight to secure the club’s stated objective, beginning with Saturday’s meeting with Everton at Stamford Bridge.

An early kick-off at the Bridge! ✊