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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Fernandez scored to give Chelsea the three points</li><li>Lengthy VAR checks led to 12 minutes of stoppage time</li><li>Maresca believes he was lucky to escape with his changes</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'My mistake!' - Enzo Maresca admits he nearly cost Chelsea with crucial error in narrow derby win against rivals Tottenham

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<p>The Blues secured a vital three points at Stamford Bridge, thanks to a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-player-ratings-vs-tottenham-cole-palmer-enzo-fernandez-london-derby/blt8205b166be482e31" target="_blank">second-half header from Enzo Fernandez</a>, but the closing moments were anything but straightforward for the hosts.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>With Chelsea clinging to their slender lead, Maresca withdrew forward <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/chelsea-player-ratings-vs-tottenham-cole-palmer-enzo-fernandez-london-derby/blt8205b166be482e31" target="_blank">Cole Palmer and goal-scorer Fernandez</a>, bringing on Tosin Adarabioyo and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to shore up the defence and midfield, respectively. Only after making the changes did Maresca realise that 12 minutes of stoppage time had been signalled - largely due to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/tottenham-fans-extra-stick-levi-colwill-cheeky-admission-chelsea-pile-spurs/bltc8984472fbee9543" target="_blank">extensive VAR reviews </a>that had disallowed goals for both sides during the second half.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>"We created chances enough in the first half, and then, to be honest, it has been my mistake because I did the change before I saw the extra time," Maresca told reporters. </p><p>"When I saw 12 minutes, I saw that probably was too early to make that kind of change. But fortunately, we won the game, and we are happy."</p><p>Despite his admission of a tactical error, Maresca was quick to heap praise on his players for their resilience and determination during the frantic finale.</p><p>"If you want to become a team, I think you need also to learn and to play in the way we played in the last 10 minutes: win a game in a dirty way," the Italian said.</p>

WHAT MARESCA SAID

<p>Chelsea's next challenge comes quickly, with a short trip across London to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on April 6.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

'My mistake!' - Enzo Maresca admits he nearly cost Chelsea with crucial error in narrow derby win against rivals Tottenham | Goal.com

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confessed to a tactical oversight that nearly jeopardised his team’s narrow 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

&apos;My mistake!&apos; - Enzo Maresca admits he nearly cost Chelsea with crucial error in narrow derby win against rivals Tottenham

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