Enzo Maresca has just wrapped up his post-match press conference following Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United this afternoon.
The Blues were two goals down at half-time at St. James' Park but fought back to earn themselves a point. Maresca has just reflected on his side's performance and much more in his post-match presser. Here is every word the Chelsea head coach had to say:
Eddie Howe thought Newcastle deserved to win the game. Do you agree with him?
I think after the first half, they deserved to win the game for sure. From my point of view, after the second half, we deserved to win the game. So this is my point of view. I think after the second goal we scored, we had three or four clear chances to score one more. They also had one with Barnes, that is the only one that I remember as a real chance. But overall, I think the draw is correct.
Why did you think the first half was so bad?
We changed something at half-time, we adjusted something at half-time. But again, overall I think in this stadium, 2-0 down at half-time, coming back is not easy for any team.
How important was Reece James?
He was, once again, top performance. He played for one hour as a midfielder and then the last half an hour as a full-back in his position. Again, he's doing a fantastic job, not only for the goal, in general, and we are happy for him.
It's been a long week for the team. What are your thoughts on what you and the team have learned from this week?
Last week we won against Everton, during the week we achieved the semi-final, drew away against Newcastle. This is an important result. But there is always a chance to learn. Today there are many things that we can learn from the first half. But also happy with the reaction of the players.
You have a very young team. When you come to places like Newcastle, really tough, can older players sometimes be important to a team to have that experience in atmospheres like this?
Yes, for sure. Because probably they know better how to manage this kind of noise or this kind of situation. But I think the ones we have, they are doing a great job also in this aspect.
To be 2-0 down at half-time, how deep did you and the players have to dig to get that draw?
Yes, exactly. That has been my message at the end of the game. For sure, in the first half there are things we can do better. But the way they showed in the second half, character, togetherness, they have to feel proud. Because you know better than me, you are from here, 2-0 down against Newcastle away in this stadium, this noise, this environment is not easy. Not many teams can do that and they have done.
Enzo, it has been a difficult week politically for you. Does that performance and comeback prove that players are still very much with you?
My last week has not been complicated. It has been good. We beat Everton, we beat Cardiff and we drew Newcastle away. So in terms of results, I am happy. Again, there are things that for sure we can do better. But I think we are going in the right direction.
What did you say to the players at half-time to get that response in the second half?
The message at half-time, because even if we were 2-0 down in the first half and the performance was not good, but from the bench I could see that the plan we prepared was the right one. So in the first half the message was just continue to trust what we do. It is a matter of scoring the first one and if we are able to do that we have a chance to win the game. So this was my message at half-time.
So there were no angry words in the dressing room?
No, no, no. Many times happened, I promise you, but not today.
Why were you booked by the referee?
It is better if... I was complaining just because the same foul was a yellow card for us and they did exactly the same foul three times. Make a foul from behind and no yellow card. So I was just complaining why the same foul, one is yellow card and the other one is no yellow card. So this is the reason why I complained with the referee.
