Enzo Maresca hails his team's strong reaction after ending winless run

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed satisfaction as his team secured a 3-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, successfully reclaiming the lead after a late equaliser in the first half.

This win marked the end of a five-match winless streak in the Premier League, with second-half goals from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke following an initial goal from Tosin Adarabioyo that was equalised by Matt Doherty for the visitors.

After two consecutive draws in which his team relinquished early advantages, Maresca commended his players for their response, which propelled them into fourth place in the standings.

"The performance was commendable until the 40-minute mark, but we faced difficulties in the last five minutes. They scored, and it affected our confidence, a recurring issue this season," Maresca remarked to BBC.

"We must improve our management of such situations. In the second half, we began strongly and found the net. Overall, I believe we merited the victory."

He added, "We responded well in the second half. It is challenging to bounce back after five games without a win, making this victory crucial."

Chelsea, who were in second place just a month ago, now sit on 40 points, trailing Nottingham Forest by four points and Arsenal by two.

When questioned about defensive errors, the Italian manager refuted the notion that the 27 goals conceded in the Premier League hindered his team's ability to compete for higher positions.

"If I am not mistaken, only four or five teams in the league have conceded fewer goals than us. So why raise concerns about defensive issues?" Maresca stated.

"I believe the balance between our offensive and defensive play is quite satisfactory. Goals can be conceded in various ways."

Maresca also defended goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who was responsible for the equaliser after mishandling a corner that led to Doherty's goal.

"It is part of our profession to make mistakes," he noted. "Robert has been instrumental in saving us on numerous occasions; such incidents occur, and there is no issue."