Enzo Maresca was left annoyed with his Chelsea side during their 2-1 win against Lincoln City in the EFL Cup.
The Blues came back from a goal down at the break to reach the fourth round of the competition, with quickfire goals from Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte securing their spot in Wednesday's draw.
Chelsea have now progressed from each of their last 18 EFL Cup ties against teams from a lower division, the joint-second longest run by a top-flight side in EFL Cup history.
The Club World Cup champions laboured in the first half, creating just 0.37 expected goals (xG) in the opening 45 minutes compared to their 1.77 xG in the second period.
Maresca was glad to see his team progress, but was disappointed in their start as they knew what to expect from their counterparts.
“It was not an easy game,” Maresca told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I told them [the players] it was not an easy game. That is why I was so annoyed in the first half, because we know that we needed to do better. Overall, they did well.
“We knew that it was a very tricky game because they are the most direct team in League One, so crosses, free kicks, throw ins into the box, you have to defend those.
“We struggled a little bit in the first half but [in the] second half we were much better and we won the game.”
Lewis Monstma rattled the woodwork inside two minutes for the hosts before Rob Street was the benefactor of a mistake from Enzo Fernandez as League One Lincoln looked to cause a big upset in the cup.
Chelsea defender Malo Gusto explained that an injection of energy at half-time helped the Blues turn the tie around.
“It was a tough game. We knew already before we came here that they play a lot with set pieces and try to bully them,” said Gusto.
“The first half was very complicated for us to get into the game but the second half was much better because we came back with more energy and more desire.
“We kept fighting on the pitch in the second half and I think that's why we won. Very happy to get into the next round.”
Despite his coach's warnings, Gusto was also left surprised at Lincoln's direct approach.
He added: “The way that they play, I have never seen that in my life before, but that is their quality.
“So we had to deal with that and I think we did quite well.”
XpBhutia
0
In my plan there is no Enzo
Pehcdlmnrt
1
The previous team last season is far better than this present one
Cinabdkry
0
Chelsea! Chelsea¡! Chelsea!!! how many times did I call you people? this is not the Chelsea we expected to see. Be warned not to give Chelsea fan BP you people knows we don't have patient.or sack will start immediately.be warned lastly.
tuubisz
0
Moresca very 🔜 will must be sack Nonsense coach
Modabceiop
1
Chelsea
Bawdioty
2
TrevorR
0
I am a diehard fan of my most famous mighty Chelsea, the reigning club world cup champions; but I demand that we also look inwardly at ourselves as fans.How else do you explain the following: Robert StreetBOY scores...... 45 comments, Tyrique George scores........7 comments,Facundo Buonanotte scores.......6 comments! Maybe our haters are fighting for a " Hating Chelsea balon'Dor" award!😡🤮😡🤮😡🤮😡🤮
That's the same I have been thinking. Chelsea fans are so attracted to negativity. Like all clubs, Chelsea must struggle. Look at Man City , they buy expensive players, pay high wages, have a world class Coach, but they are struggling, you don't see the level of bitterness in their fans compared to Chelsea's
TrevorR
0
this is not the kind of teams Chelsea fan want to be watching week in week out team that can't not compete with the heavyweight,team that loss to struggling United Now jubilanting for beating league 2 narrowly
This sums up your IQ when it comes to football
Moseseboto
3
But media with their frenzy about Chelsea can't stop. Chelsea won the game 1:2 away, but Liverpool which struggled up to the 90 minutes, isn't getting any criticism. Moreover, they Liverpool were at nhome. Useless media propaganda. 😒🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
olubukolaemmanuel
0
this is not the kind of teams Chelsea fan want to be watching week in week out team that can't not compete with the heavyweight,team that loss to struggling United Now jubilanting for beating league 2 narrowly
nopaciptuz
0
shit Maresca should work on improving the first half performance as his tactics fail till he has seen the other team play
nopaciptuz
0
fucking Maresca should work on improving first half.....he is shit in tactics and team selection until he has seen the opponent play the match
fupceiluyz
1
I am glad that the ratings have started to prove what I have known since Wesley Fofana joined my most famous mighty Chelsea, the reigning club world cup champions.The guy is a BEAST but gets rebuked because he is not from England!
phillipmwe
1
coach work on defense please
fupceiluyz
3
I am a diehard fan of my most famous mighty Chelsea, the reigning club world cup champions; but I demand that we also look inwardly at ourselves as fans.How else do you explain the following: Robert StreetBOY scores...... 45 comments, Tyrique George scores........7 comments,Facundo Buonanotte scores.......6 comments! Maybe our haters are fighting for a " Hating Chelsea balon'Dor" award!😡🤮😡🤮😡🤮😡🤮
Pubabeipry
0
Pls how come Chelsea bought gittens over xavi simons?
One is a winger while the other is a midfielder
pitclorstu
0
I don't understand this Coach, you are afraid of small teams, you are also afraid of big teams. Speaking from both sides of his mouth.
sammyluv84
1
Pls how come Chelsea bought gittens over xavi simons?
Miaeinry
1
hi
KehindeSeun
2
I really don't understand the manager you want to play against big team is going to be tough,you want to play against lower team you are still afraid of them what team did you expect to be easy now ?? in normal day if you inject good energy inside the team mind and in stored fearless in them you will see how they will come with energy but you are already creating fear in them by telling them team that play in League one will be tough how ?? they know how to play and they are there where they are. a single player in your team will buy all the players in their team ,on a normal day this people should be the one to have fear not you.
Bizwel
0
Maresca will have to up his standard in order for him to become a good coach
sasbdmnorz
2
ice411
3
Brighton owner to Chelsea this morning after buonanotte scored . Have I sold scraps for you before ?
rotacdeilz
1
God helped us because in beginning it seems were jittery to face league one team