Chelsea can kiss the Premier League title goodbye after failing to win for a third straight game on Monday, ending 2024 and the first half of the season with a 2-0 defeat away to relegation-threatened Ipswich.
IPSWICH 2-0 CHELSEA – Highlights, recap & analysis
For the third straight game, the Blues (4th place – 35 points) were flat and too easy to play through without Romeo Lavia at the heart of midfield. Enzo Maresca’s side won five games in a row to get to within two points of leaders Liverpool on Dec. 15, but have just one point and one goal in three games since. Don’t expect him to be overly excitable when he speaks to the press tonight.
Enzo Maresca reaction — What did Chelsea boss say after loss to Ipswich?
“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, like defend better in some moments.”
“We had chances with Joao [Felix] and Noni [Madueke], so it’s not about the striker. Sometimes you create chances and it doesn’t go for you.”
…
“We expected this kind of moment in the season. This type of moment, it is almost impossible to have a season without this. Not anyone in this room expected us to be where we are. It also shows we are far from competing consistently and being there with the best teams in England. We have to be satisfied where we are ,but we need to improve.”
“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.”
