The Blues suffered a second consecutive defeat at the Amex, and this one by the more emphatic scoreline of 3-0. Maresca gave his verdict on how things escalated tonight following a promising start to proceedings.

‘We approached the game quite well,’ said Maresca.

‘We arrived quite well in the last third but then we struggled to create chances. Until a week or two ago that is something we were doing well.

‘Until the Mitoma goal we were in control. After the goal we lost something. We need to review it and think how we can improve.

‘In this moment the bad feeling is that we look like we can concede chances easily, and we struggle to create chances. There are many reasons why, the injuries to our nines are part of that, but we have 13 games to go, and we need to finish in the best way.’

Maresca recognised we missed an opportunity to make a statement in the first Premier League game of the weekend, and he also apologised to the Chelsea supporters…

‘Probably since I arrived that is the worst performance, especially in the moment we are in. We are fourth in the league and winning tonight you can go one point from third and make the gap to the rest bigger.

‘The performance is not one you want to offer, so we are very upset, and especially very sorry for the fans who were here, and in general to our fans, because in this moment you cannot offer this kind of performance with 14 games to go, now 13 games to go. In terms of desire, we need to show more.’

Maresca provided an update on Noni Madueke, who limped off early, and Malo Gusto, who needed treatment in the second half…

‘Malo is okay. Noni unfortunately has a hamstring problem so unfortunately will be out for a little while.’