Enzo Maresca urges Chelsea fans to show trust after BlueCo protest

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca asked supporters to “trust the process” following a protest against the club’s owners that preceded their 4-0 win over Southampton.

About 200 fans gathered outside Stamford Bridge with banners and smoke flares before kick-off to voice opposition to the running of the club during the nearly three years since the BlueCo consortium fronted by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali acquired the club.

Whatever soothing effect was achieved by the team’s performance against the Premier League’s bottom side may prove only to be temporary, but it brought respite for Maresca after a recent poor run and, for 24 hours at least, moved his side back into the top four.

“The only thing I can say is that in this moment the fans have to trust,” he said. “We’re in the right process and the right direction. Since we started we’ve been top four most games of the season.

“The fans have to trust the players. They are doing a huge effort every day to bring this club to the Champions League.”

Three goals before half-time effectively ended the game as a contest, Southampton undone by a bundled effort from Christopher Nkunku, a near-post bullet by Pedro Neto and a Levi Colwill header to nudge them closer to what looks an inevitable return to the Championship.

Marc Cucurella netted a fourth goal late in the second half but the match saw Cole Palmer stretch his scoreless run to seven matches in all competitions despite a host of chances falling his way.

The club’s leading scorer allowed himself a wry smile after ballooning an effort over the bar when unmarked 10 yards out in the second half, but the head coach said he sees no cause for concern.

“Cole Palmer is a human being,” said Maresca. “All players at all big clubs go