Enzo Maresca praised Chelsea’s mental fortitude after they battled from behind to secure a 2-1 win against West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Monday, propelling them into fourth place in the Premier League.
Chelsea endured a sluggish start and fell behind late in the first half when Jarrod Bowen fired West Ham into the lead, prompting groans from frustrated home fans.
However, a tactical switch in the second half changed the momentum, with substitute Pedro Neto making an immediate impact by netting the equaliser. Chelsea then grabbed the winner in the 74th minute when Cole Palmer’s cross took a crucial deflection off West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
After managing just one victory in their previous seven league matches, Maresca was relieved to see his side bounce back in determined fashion.

“This was a huge result. It was a tough game, especially mentally. When West Ham come here and sit deep with 10 men behind the ball, it’s not easy. You need to be strong and patient,” Maresca said.
“We had more than 10 shots in the first half and created clear chances, but we just couldn’t hit the target. The substitutions made a difference, and overall, we completely deserved the win.”
With the January transfer window closing at 11 PM GMT, Maresca admitted that speculation over potential arrivals and departures had been a distraction. Now, with business concluded, the Italian can fully focus on securing a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
Maresca made a significant selection call by dropping goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after his costly mistake in the recent defeat to Manchester City. His replacement, Filip Jorgensen, delivered a composed performance.
For West Ham manager Graham Potter, it was a frustrating return to Stamford Bridge. The former Chelsea boss, sacked in 2023 after just seven months in charge, has struggled for results since taking over at West Ham last month, securing only one win in five games.
West Ham were particularly aggrieved by Chelsea’s first goal, believing Levi Colwill had fouled Bowen in the build-up.
“The first goal was a real turning point, and we felt it should have been a foul. We were doing well, but we couldn’t quite hold on,” Potter lamented.
Despite the defeat, Potter has room to reshape his squad, with the Hammers sitting 10 points clear of the relegation zone.