Joao Pedro took centre stage for Chelsea on Wednesday night, scoring twice in the second half to give Liam Rosenior’s side a big boost.
He had already scored against Crystal Palace on Sunday and got on the scoresheet in the win over Brentford before that. It continued a good run of form for the Brazilian, who stepped up again when his team needed it.
Enzo Fernandez put Chelsea ahead early from the penalty spot, but United turned it around with goals from Antonio Vergara and Rasmus Hojlund just before half-time. Still, Rosenior’s side did not look rattled going into the break.
The former Watford man then fired home a low left-footed drive from 25 yards out to pull his side level. Later in the half, he finished off a swift counter-attack with his right foot to put Chelsea back in front.
Joao Pedro explains the differences between Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca
Chelsea’s win secured sixth place in a 36-team field, earning them a spot in the last 16 and avoiding the play-off round altogether. It has been a promising start under Rosenior, and Pedro was asked about what he has brought to the squad.
Pedro spoke with Jamie Carragher on CBS Sports after the match, highlighting that Rosenior is focused on raising intensity and tightening up Chelsea’s shape. He pointed out that Enzo Maresca put more emphasis on how they controlled possession.
“I think Liam is electric. He wants to play with more intensity, to be more compact. If you see my second goal, I was low.
“He wants us to come low to connect the team and create space for others to run behind. Enzo is more with the ball; he’s very good. But that’s the main difference,” the Brazilian star explained.
Joe Cole believes Napoli could have overpowered Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea
Rosenior’s media strategy has been built around boosting the confidence of his squad. He has not held back in praising just about every player, but the approach seems to be paying off.
The team is responding well, and with five wins from six matches, there is little reason to question the methods. Joe Cole told TNT Sports he felt Chelsea might have lost that game if Maresca was still in charge.
“Liam is still getting his style of play. But the one thing is character. A Chelsea team, going behind, could’ve got rolled over a few months ago. He’s instilled something in them,” Cole stated.
Chelsea can now take a brief pause from Champions League concerns, with West Ham up next in the Premier League before returning to Carabao Cup action against Arsenal.
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