There is no doubt who Chelsea’s star man was on Sunday. Marc Cucurella not only scored the decisive goal, but he also displayed great determination defensively to help us earn a crucial clean sheet. The Spaniard’s efforts did not go unnoticed by head coach Enzo Maresca, who hailed his left-back's tactical awareness after the 1-0 win over Leicester.
Cucurella drove home a pinpoint finish from outside the box for his sixth Chelsea goal in all, his fifth since mid-December, and arguably his most important yet. It earned us three precious Premier League points that have moved Maresca’s men back into the top four.
'Marc has something that is difficult to find,’ highlighted the head coach.
‘He is clever and is intelligent. He scored two goals against Wolves and Brentford and he is probably the smallest one in the team. This shows you how intelligent he is because he is in the right position.
'He is playing like an attacking midfielder and is doing fantastic. He has scored four or five goals with us.’
Cucurella provided the touch of class that sealed the points against a stubborn Leicester outfit, but it was a team effort that helped get us over the line and make it three wins in a row. Maresca noted how the work rate of Pedro Neto epitomised the collective desire to make a difference.
‘You also have to realise we are playing without a No.9,’ said Maresca.
‘Both Nicolas [Jackson] and Marc Guiu were deadline day injuries. Pedro is doing fantastic - he was running everywhere, he was running.
‘This spirit is what we need and what we all need to be aware; fans, you [the media], us, it's what we need.'