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Feature
- 2 minutes ago
Enzo Maresca crucified for shocking mistake as Chelsea lose to Sunderland
Tom Weber
- Updated: 25 Oct 2025 17:41 BST
- 4 min read
News
Enzo Maresca's in-form Chelsea fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, and supporters believe that one substitution changed the game.
The Blues welcomed the Black Cats to West London on Saturday and immediately stormed into a 1-0 lead courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho, who finally netted his first goal for Chelsea.
Maresca's side had been in great form heading into this game, having recently managed to beat Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Ajax, and looked set to cruise to another impressive win.
However, promoted Sunderland are this season's biggest surprise so far, and they equalised less than 20 minutes later through Wilson Isidore. Chelsea controlled the game, but the visitors, spurred on by a raucous travelling contingent, held their own.
Chelsea tried and tried but could not find a breakthrough. Estevao attempted a late dribble but was dispossessed at the edge of Sunderland's box. Within seconds, Chelsea were in trouble.
Maresca blamed for Sunderland loss
The ball was launched into the Blues' half for striker Brian Brobbey to chase, and the Dutchman did excellently. He held the ball up against Tosin Adarabioyo and waited for reinforcements to arrive.
Chemsdine Talbi came in late and unmarked, received the ball from Brobbey and calmly slotted it into the bottom corner in the 93rd minute to deal Chelsea their second home defeat of the season.
Naturally, Chelsea fans were incredibly frustrated after the game, and one decision by head coach Maresca has particularly raised questions. The Italian opted to take off Josh Acheampong, who has been exceptional in recent games, and bring on Tosin in the 76th minute.
Chelsea supporters believe that this ultimately doomed their team because Acheampong is much better at defending transitions than Tosin and Trevoh Chalobah, and could have dealt with Sunderland's late counter much more competently.
"Maresca deserves that," one fan wrote on social media. "Shocking defending, shocking game management, what a horrible game." Another fumed similarly: "Why did Maresca take Acheampong off when he is clearly our best CB defending transitions?"
"Maresca, that's on you for taking Acheampong off, who was one of our best players and keeping Chalobah on the pitch. Embarrassing game," a third wrote, with a fourth echoing this sentiment: "Josh Acheampong was our best player today, and [Maresca] took him off for that clown Tosin."
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