Chelsea Fans Slam Enzo Maresca for Decision on One Player in Sunderland Defeat

Chelsea fans vented about manager Enzo Maresca and a decision he made in his side's last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Sunderland.

Having thrashed Ajax 5-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, Chelsea went 1-0 up at Stamford Bridge through Alejandro Garnacho, who scored his first goal since signing from Manchester United.

But Sunderland levelled matters in the 22nd minute through Wilson Isidor and then deep in stoppage time, substitute Chemsdine Talbi popped up with a dramatic late winner.

He was fed by Bryan Brobbey and produced a calm finish to send the Sunderland away end into raptures and moving them up to second in the Premier League table after a fine start to the new campaign.

It was a disappointing result for the Club World Cup champions and they fumed at Maresca after he took off Josh Acheampong and replaced him with Tosin Adarabioyo in the 76th minute - prior to the Talbi winner.

Acheampong was replaced in the 76th minute with the score at 1-1. Image: Getty

After the 19-year-old's recent performances, Chelsea fans felt it was completely the wrong call from their manager and led to them losing the game.

One fan on X wrote: "Acheampong having the game of his life then Maresca takes him off for no reason.

A second fumed: "Why the F*** did Maresca take Acheampong off when he is CLEARLY our best CB defending transitions???"

A furious third added: "Maresca better tell me Acheampong couldn’t continue or something I don’t care if it’s a lie. Sack him if that was a tactical change."

A final user commented: "Josh Acheampong faced this kinda situation a number of times today and dealt with them well. Chalobah and Tosin are absolutely awful."

Maresca reacts to Chelsea defeat

After suffering a 3-1 home defeat to Brighton on 27 September, Chelsea responded with four wins in a row in all competitions - including a dramatic triumph over Liverpool.

But they weren't at it in Saturday's early kick-off and Maresca admitted his side did not perform at their level in the defeat.

"I think we were in general, we were not good enough," Maresca said in his post-match press conference.

"When you are not good enough in the Premier League, the consequence can be a bad one. When you can't win, it's important you don't lose.

"The second goal is not a transition, it's a long ball and we don't defend properly. The first goal is from a throw-in because they have six, seven or eight players in the box. It's difficult. We were not good enough."

Maresca was not happy with his side's showing. Image: Getty

Chelsea return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Wolves in the Carabao Cup, before a Premier League clash with Spurs on Saturday.