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Wesley Fofana says Chelsea are improving “every game” despite failing to kill off Crystal Palace in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The home side dominated during the first half and had multiple chances to add to their single goal scored by Nicolas Jackson midway through the period and build a commanding lead.
They were denied once by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who turned Noni Madueke’s flick over the bar, before the England Under-21 winger was responsible for a glaring miss when he slotted wide after defender Marc Guehi’s error.
Eberechi Eze hit a superb equaliser early in the second half, guiding his finish into the corner from outside the area, before Palace survived a late scare when Jackson twice missed excellent chances to win the game in stoppage time.
“It’s hard because we gave everything on the pitch and we didn’t win the game,” said Fofana.
“The Premier League is like this. When you don’t kill the game, you leave the other team alive. It’s difficult. We played well and they defended well in the second half.
“We had chances. We play at home, we normally win. From now we try to manage this and score more goals in the other games. We are creating good things.
“Every game is better. We have more energy, more quality with the ball. When we press, we create good things. Now we need to win games.”
New head coach Enzo Maresca has collected four points from his first three Premier League games in charge as well as guiding the team into the UEFA Conference League, albeit via a second-leg play-off defeat to Swiss side Servette last week.
An opening-weekend loss to Manchester City was followed up by a thumping 6-2 win over Wolves at Molineux before momentum stalled against Oliver Glasner’s side on Sunday.
Fofana – who has withdrawn from the France squad following discussions with head coach Didier Deschamps as he continues his comeback from the ACL injury that caused him to miss last season – has started all three of Chelsea’s league matches this season.
I enjoy every minute after a long period without football— Wesley Fofana
He turned in an impressive display against Palace, winning possession high up the pitch and playing the ball that led to Madueke’s first-half opening whilst bringing a generally assured presence to Chelsea’s defence.
“I enjoy every minute after a long period without football,” he said.
“I’m very happy. Now we cut a little bit (for the international break), and we come back after to play games and win games.”
