
manager had to endure expletive chants from the away fans before his side battled back to beat . The Blues were abject for much of the game at Craven Cottage, and trailed 1-0 at the break after Alex Iwobi struck for the hosts.
But with their hopes hanging in the balance, Maresca's side produced a dramatic finish. Tyrique George came off the bench to level with seven minutes left, with the teenager scoring from outside the area. A last-gasp rocket from Pedro Neto then sealed the points, taking the visitors back up to fifth in the table.
By that point however, Chelsea fans had already made their feelings on the Italian manager known. They chanted "w***er" as he headed down the tunnel after 45 minutes, while the players were loudly booed.
It wasn't the only resentment that Maresca had to endure. The away contingent also sang Frank Lampard's name, implying they would prefer the club icon was back in charge.
Despite the three points, the win would have done little to quell speculation over Maresca's future. It was their first win in three league games after tame draws with Brentford and Ipswich, and a number of Chelsea's big players again underperformed.
Maresca was forced into taking off Noni Madueke and Reece James at half-time, while Cole Palmer was again below par. The decision to keep faith in Nicolas Jackson also backfired, with the striker botching a series of chances before being replaced by George.
The win takes Chelsea back into the Champions League qualification places, in fifth place, on goal difference from Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. Despite the home loss to Legia Warsaw on Thursday, Maresca's side are also in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.
However, a top-five finish is likely to prove pivotal to his future. The club's next two fixtures are at Stamford Bridge, against Everton next Saturday, before a game with champions-elect Liverpool on May 4.
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