Chelsea enjoyed an impressive first half where they controlled large parts of the opening 45 minutes and deservedly led at the break thanks to Nicolas Jackson's second goal of the season.

It could have been even more but Eberechi Eze's strike early after the restart meant the game was in the balance during the second period and despite plenty of endeavour from Chelsea's players, they were unable to find the clinical edge needed to find the winner.

Maresca said: ‘I feel it is a shame for the players because when we finished the game, you could see the players' frustrations. In the way we played today, we are going to win games.’

He continued: ‘We completely deserved to win the game. We created chances and controlled the game. We didn’t concede chances and in the first half, I think they just had one shot on goal with Adam Wharton and then they had the goal in the second half which was a fantastic goal.

‘But overall, as you said, we completely deserved to win the game but unfortunately we didn’t. But the performance was very good, on the ball and off the ball.

‘After we conceded the goal, we lost our way in terms of controlling the game and the game started to be a bit up and down and in transition, which is not our football and especially against them as they are very good in transition.

‘But then after, we came back to the way we planned for the game and in the end we had two or three more chances to win the game. But we didn’t win the game and it is what it is.’

The second half could have been very different had Will Hughes been sent off immediately after the restart for what seemed to be a second bookable offence when he brought down Cole Palmer.

But referee Jarred Gillett decided against sending off the former Watford man and Palace manager Oliver Glasner quickly substituted Hughes for Cheick Doucoure, whose shot was blocked in the build-up to Eze's equaliser and impressed in the heart of midfield.

When asked if he was frustrated with the decision, Maresca replied: ‘[Yes], especially in that moment because we were 1-0 up. It was probably a second yellow card. If they go to ten men the game would have completely changed. And the reaction from their bench, to change him immediately after, it was quite clear but the referee saw it in a different way so I have nothing to say.’

Maresca was then asked a few more questions relating to the potential second yellow card for Hughes.

When asked what the fourth official had said to him, Maresca added: ‘He said the referee did not consider it was not a yellow card.’

And later our head coach added: ‘If he (pointing to another journalist) has asked me the same and you have asked me the same then there is not many more things to add because it was clear that it was a second yellow card and a red card. The only one who thought differently was the referee. But he is the one who decides to we have to just say ok.’

Maresca was also asked about Malo Gusto after the defender pulled up holding the back of his leg and was substituted with just over a quarter of an hour remaining.

He said: ‘We will see what happens. It looks like a muscle problem and we are going to see.'