Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has strongly criticised his team’s inability to “kill off” matches after a stoppage-time goal from substitute Chemsdine Talbi handed newly-promoted Sunderland a shock 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The loss, which ended Enzo Maresca’s side’s four-game winning run, leaves Chelsea in mid-table, while the Black Cats secured an impressive second place in the Premier League. Cucurella revealed the club has now squandered eight points from winning positions this season.
“We need to learn to manage the game better… and learn to kill games off when we are on top,” Cucurella told Chelsea’s website after the team threw away an early lead secured by Alejandro Garnacho’s goal.
The defender also highlighted the failure to deal with set-pieces, specifically a Nordi Mukiele long throw-in that led to Wilson Isidor’s 22nd-minute equaliser.
“I think maybe we relaxed a little bit and they punished us,” he said, acknowledging that they had specifically trained for Sunderland’s long-throw threat. “It’s no excuse. We need to learn from this.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris celebrated his side’s result, which caps the best start by a newly promoted team in 17 years, praising the “excellent” emotions and togetherness within the club.
