Enzo Maresca: Reece James played really well and deserved this result

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says Reece James' injury-time equaliser against AFC Bournemouth was another special moment for the team, even though the result was not what they wanted.  

Trailing 2-1, substitute Reece James saved the game with a free kick in his first Premier League match in more than two months. It was a great moment for Chelsea fans and there were cheers all over Stamford Bridge, with the captain cheering with joy.  

Enzo Maresca said after the game: "I'm happy for Reece James, he definitely deserved it after a difficult moment. It also gave us a point, so I'm happy for him and happy for the team."  

"Reece James's goal now is to stay fit until the end of the season and help us, to play the way we want to play."  

"Reece James's free-kick skills are comparable to Cole Palmer's and he played very well. We decided to play Reece James and he scored and we were all very happy because at least we got a point."  

Enzo Maresca was a little frustrated to have only taken one point, though, and the team dominated the second half, with Cole Palmer calmly firing home after just 13 minutes following a brilliant interception by Nicolas Jackson.  

The opening 45 minutes was one of the strongest games of the season, but it looked like we were going to go home empty-handed. Fortunately, Reece James stepped up and scored in the fifth minute of injury time.  

"It was probably one of our best first halves of the season, we played with and without the ball and created so many chances," said Enzo Maresca. "We had about 15 shots and the first half had to end with a different scoreline because at least 2-0 was what we deserved."  

"After the penalty in the second half, the team's form dropped a bit and we need to understand why. It's a bit of a shame because when you play like we did in the first half, when we played really well, you need to show a cool head."