Maresca's wild sprint a red-hot release after Chelsea stifle misfiring Liverpool | Barney Ronay

"With 95 minutes on the clock, as Chelsea's 18-year-old substitute Estevao Willian scored the winning goal even before the shared intake of air around Stamford Bridge had been transformed into a barrelling roar, Enzo Maresca was off, sprinting down his touchline at astonishing speed, and showing classical form, hands carving the air, knees high, like a small, bald track-suited Allan Wells, then leaping with his players into the crowd."

"Maresca had been weirdly animated all game, out there in full-figure hugging Galactic Jade club nylons and sculpted quilted coat, bristly, bald, even quite twinkly, like an ageing Jedi on his way to the gym. As Chelsea took the lead in the first half he even tried to conduct the crowd, demanding more noise, more heat, albeit with something oddly accusatory in his gestures. Eventually Maresca returned from the mosh pit. He was sent off for his touchline run,"

"Either way the rabbits that have been rustling in the tree line for the past six weeks have finally come gambolling out into the paddock. Liverpool have lost three games in a row, two on successive league weekends. They are not, repeat not, top of the table. This had to happen some time. It has been over a year now, the morning of 24 September 2024, since the last time last Arne Slot's team weren't at least level on points at the top."

Chelsea secured a dramatic victory when 18-year-old substitute Estevao Willian scored a 95th-minute winner. Enzo Maresca celebrated wildly, sprinting down his touchline and leaping with players into the crowd before being sent off. Maresca's animated sideline behaviour included orchestrating the crowd while wearing distinctive club attire. There is speculation he might have kept running beyond the stadium. The result was significant for Liverpool, who have lost three consecutive matches and are no longer top of the table. The club's uninterrupted run at or near the summit ended after more than a year, dating back to 24 September 2024.

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