Enzo Maresca hailed Robert Sanchez after the Chelsea goalkeeper pulled off a string of saves late on as the Blues ran out 1-0 winners over Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Nicolas Jackson netted his first goal in 2025 to end a 13-game goal drought and ensure Chelsea’s hopes of securing a top-five finish, and a Champions League spot, remain very much alive.

The three points lift Maresca’s men up to fourth – at least temporarily – but it was the contribution of Sanchez that the Chelsea boss singled out for praise following the victory.

“[I am] very happy. He [Sanchez] deserved [that] to be honest because probably in the last weeks he received some criticism that is not good.

“You can see how the teammates celebrated with him after because he deserved that.”

“WHAT A SAVE!” ????

This stop from Robert Sánchez could be a match-winning moment ????

???? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/owFdFpPzay

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 26, 2025

Chelsea are next in action on Thursday when they travel to Stockholm to take on Djurgarden in the first-leg of the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

And while they remain firm favourites to lift the trophy, Maresca’s focus has been on securing a place in Europe’s elite club competition next term.

“The three points at this stage of the season is very important.

“The performance [against Everton] I think first-half we dominated, we created chances, we did not concede anything.

“Second-half we dropped a little bit but it’s part of the game. We defended well when we needed to defend. And we attached quite well when we needed to attack.

“So, overall, it was a good game, three points, and we are happy.

“Four games to go. Game by game. I said already many times, when you win a game, you see yourself there and you are happy. If you don’t win, you don’t see yourself there and you are upset.

“It’s how we manage the emotion until the end. The important thing is that we are there.”