CHELSEA MENTALLY SPOT ON: MARESCA

He praises Blues for overcoming adversity to earn comeback victory at Tottenham

- REUTERS, AFP

LONDON - Enzo Maresca hailed the "perfect win" as his Chelsea side roared back from two goals down after 11 minutes to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on Dec 8 and move into second place in the English Premier League.

The Blues were in big trouble after two slips by Marc Cucurella led to goals for Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski, but the visitors responded in powerful fashion.

Cole Palmer slotted two penalties, the second an audacious Panenka dink, while Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernandez were also on target as Chelsea cut Liverpool's lead to four points.

The Reds, however, have a game in hand after their clash with Everton had to be postponed due to Storm Darragh.

It was Chelsea's fourth win in a row in the league.

And while Maresca continues to dismiss his side's title ambitions, few now are taking that opinion seriously.

"Mentally we showed how strong we are," the Italian told reporters.

"To come to this stadium and think you are going to win and not suffer, it's impossible.

It's the perfect win probably because of this.

"After the game, my message to the players is to be focused in the day by day, our sessions, the next game on Thursday and then Sunday.