Enzo Maresca claimed his players conceded a goal in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich because they listened to crowd complaints instead of sticking to his instructions.
Supporter dissatisfaction with Maresca’s insistence on playing out from the back from goal-kicks became increasingly audible at Stamford Bridge after Julio Enciso gave Ipswich a 19th-minute lead against the run of play.
Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was then seen to consult with team-mates before launching a goal-kick longer than usual. That backfired however as Ipswich gained possession and began a move from which Ben Johnson doubled the lead in the 31st minute.
After the match, Maresca said that “the environment” was affecting his players.
“We lost a little bit of confidence because we conceded, probably because of the environment and this is the moment that you have to continue doing the right things and don’t change plans,” Maresca said.
“The second goal we decide to play long because of the environment and we concede. So you have to be strong, you have to continue with the things that you are doing. I have said many times that if you go long, it doesn’t mean that you are going to control something.”
Maresca, who endured supporter unrest at Leicester last season because of the patient passing game he insisted upon, said the fans had a right to their opinion.
“I said many times, we are stronger with our fans,” he said. “We are a better team and it’s up to them to decide the way. For sure today probably, with the 0-1, 0-2, it’s normal to be in the way they were. They have been there all season, all my way. For sure today, in the moment that we are in, a difficult moment, you can expect them that they are not happy.”
Jadon Sancho’s equaliser in the second half meant Chelsea avoided the embarrassment of losing at home to Ipswich as well as away but which European competition they will be playing in next season remains anyone’s guess.
The point moved Chelsea into fifth – now confirmed as a Champions League qualification slot – but they later dropped to sixth after Newcastle thrashed Manchester United later in the day.
Chelsea had dominated the opening exchanges but failed to find the net. Nicolas Jackson hit a post from close range and Ipswich keeper Alex Palmer was required to make a number of saves, although other decent chances were fired over.
Ipswich caught the hosts out on the counter attack in the 19th minute with their first attack of substance. George Hirst began a run from the centre circle, played Johnson into a crossing position on the right and Enciso nipped in between the centre-backs to poke beyond Sánchez for his first goal since joining on loan from Brighton.
