Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted he could have jeopardized his side’s chances of holding on to a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday by making defensive changes in the dying moments.
Maresca made his substitutions only to realize that 12 minutes had been added on.
“We created enough chances in the first half, and then, to be honest, it was my mistake because I made the change before seeing the extra time,” Maresca told reporters.
“When I saw 12 minutes, I realized it was probably too early to make that kind of change. But fortunately, we won the game, and we are happy.”
With the clock ticking down, Maresca replaced Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez with defender Tosin Adarabioyo and midfield anchor Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The change allowed Spurs to ramp up their attacks as they searched for an equalizer during the long period of stoppage time.