Enzo Maresca blamed the quick turnaround for his selection gamble after starting Cole Palmer on the bench in Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Brentford.
The Italian felt it was unfair that the Blues had 24 hours less than Brentford to prepare for the west London derby, having played Tottenham at home on Thursday.
England forward Palmer was eventually introduced after an hour but he was unable to break the deadlock, lifting his best chance over the crossbar in stoppage time.
“Overall we played a good game,” said Maresca. “We prepared the game in the way it was. We played a demanding game Thursday night.
“A tricky game, a sunny day, the pitch was dry, they tried to kill the tempo, but we did more than enough to win the game. The only thing we missed was the goal.
“We played Thursday night so not all of them were 100 per cent. The idea was to start in one way and finish in another. The plan nearly worked. Overall the change between the first and second half was not enough to win the game.
“Was the scheduling unfair? I think so, at this stage of the season. We tried to adapt. Thursday night was a demanding game.
“We said many times when this is a transition game, it was demanding, compared to today. Yes, 24 hours makes a difference.”
Bees boss Thomas Frank agreed that the extra day is significant, with his side having also been hard done by this season.
Warming to the fixture scheduling theme, the Dane went on to label this summer’s Club World Cup, at which Chelsea are participating, “ridiculous”.
“It’s just another tournament. Will I watch it? No chance!” he added.
As for Maresca’s assertion that Chelsea, who had 21 shots to Brentford’s nine, deserved to win, Frank said: “I guess we are all slightly biased. We definitely look at our side of the elephant.”
Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken made two fine saves to keep out Pedro Neto’s drive and a Reece James header.
But the hosts also had big chances, with Yoane Wissa heading wide, Robert Sanchez saving from Bryan Mbeumo and Sepp Van Den Berg planting a header into the ground and over.
“I felt we performed well, we were clearly on top first half,” said Frank.
“Second half I thought was more even. But throughout the game we defended well.
“We limited Chelsea to one chance through James, the rest were outside the box. We had five clear chances.
“I think if there was going to be a winner it should have been us. It was a very good performance against a top club who have spent a few quid.”
Next up for Chelsea is a Conference League quarter-final trip to Legia Warsaw on Thursday, but Maresca’s priority is still qualifying for the Champions League.
“For sure, that’s very important,” he said. “Our target is to bring this club to where it needs to be, in the Champions League.
“Since day one we are up there, hopefully we can finish there.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
