Maresca says Chelsea are not focused on title race after second loss in a row

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has told BBC Sport he and his players are only focused on their next game (they play away at Eberechi Eze’s Crystal Palace on January 4) and not the title race after Monday night’s 2-0 loss at Ipswich Town.

Ipswich Town won their first Premier League game against Chelsea since August 1993, extending their run of six home meetings against the Blues without ever losing in the competition (W2 D4) but Maresca expressed shock that they could not score from the many chances created.

“Strange game in terms of creating many chances and we could’ve scored many, but they saved goals on the line or great saves from the keeper. We could do many things better, defend better in some moments.”

On penalty: “They said it’s a bit soft, but we have to accept it’s a penalty.

“We made four changes from the last game because they all deserve to play. Now we’ve finished the first part of the season, no one expected us to be where we are. We are in a good position, but we can do many things better. It’s a long race.

“We had chances with Joao and Noni so it’s not about the striker. Sometimes you create chances and it doesn’t go for you.

“We focus game by game. We are not focused on title race or those things,’ said the Chelsea boss.