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.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe feels his side “look united” after they boosted their hopes of securing a Champions League place with a comfortable 3-0 victory at relegation-haunted Leicester.The Foxes were low on confidence thanks to seven straight defeats heading into the contest and Newcastle jumped all over their hosts with two goals in 11 minutes courtesy of Jacob Murphy, his second com...
Newcastle blew Leicester away with three first-half goals to inflict a miserable 3-0 defeat on the Foxes who moved a step closer to suffering relegation from the Premier League.The Magpies flexed their muscles in front of Sky Bet Championship-bound Leicester in a ruthless start to boost their hopes of returning to the Champions League by moving level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.Jacob Murp...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Liverpool lost last night, so?.... EPL Week 31 Thoughts Simple question: Can Arsenal finally win the UCL this year? What's WRONG with Liverpool? Me Tomorrow MSN looks more happy together than BBC. Why is that? Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, AZRorganization, originaltrollfootball, thefootballarena)...
Man Utd have reportedly identified their top transfer target in the summer transfer window.Ruben Amorim is set to be backed by Man UtdManchester United have identified Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as their priority transfer target this summer as Ruben Amorim prepares to address his misfiring attack, according to reports. The Red Devils will pursue a new goalscorer ahead of Amorim's first full s...
EXCLUSIVE: Kevin De Bruyne is a wanted man as David Beckham's Inter Miami lead the race to sign the Belgium midfielder after he announced his forthcoming exit from Manchester CityDavid Beckham wants to sign Kevin De BruyneDavid Beckham's Inter Miami will step up their bid to lure Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne to the MLS.De Bruyne became a free agent at the start of 2025, and has announ...
Manchester United are looking to challenge Arsenal to the signing of Matheus Cunha and are set to enter talks with the Wolves forward's agent.United join Arsenal in Cunha raceHave had contact with his agentForward is ready to leave WolvesWHAT HAPPENED?Arsenal are said to be eager to lure the Brazilian to north London as they look to strengthen their attack in an attempt to challenge for the Premie...
Gittens set to leave BVB amid interest from EPL clubs & BayernPer Sky Sports, English winger Jamie Gittens is all set to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the 2024-25 campaign amid strong interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and clubs in the Premier League.Bayern make crunch decision on Sane's futureLeroy Sane, who is in the final few months of his contract at Allianz Arena, has a...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola accused Manchester United supporters of lacking class after singing vulgar chants about Phil Foden’s mother during Sunday’s derby.Guardiola said rival supporters should be ashamed having also targeted the England international as he left the field following a drab goalless draw at Old Trafford.He said: “The chants to him? Lack of class. But it&r...
Ruben Amorim was unable to overcome Pep Guardiola for a third time this term as Manchester United and Manchester City played out a drab 0-0 derby draw at Old Trafford.The 196th Manchester derby was the teams’ most low key clash in years, with the visitors fighting for a Champions League spot rather than a fifth straight title at a side needing to win the Europa League to save their season.Un...
Jim Goodwin challenged Dundee United to hunt down the teams above them in the race for Europe after they surged eight points clear of sixth-placed Hearts with a 1-0 win at Tynecastle.The Tannadice side secured their top-six place in the William Hill Premiership on Saturday after results elsewhere went their way.And they had more joy on Sunday after Sam Dalby’s stunning second-half header, fo...
- 1 Aaron Collins scores against former club as Bolton beat Bristol Rovers
- 2 Alan Sheehan happy to grind out win over Derby
- 3 Leaders Liverpool’s 26-match unbeaten Premier League run ended in Fulham defeat
- 4 Five draws in a row for Gillingham as points shared with Salford
- 5 Ronaldo's view on whether Messi has settled the GOAT debate for good
- 6 Notts County boss Stuart Maynard delighted with ‘vital’ victory against MK Dons
- 7 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 8 Pep Guardiola: Man Utd supporters should be ashamed after Phil Foden chants
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Hollywood superstar Anne Hathaway sends clear message to Bukayo Saka