Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was "so happy" with Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Leicester and said supporters "don't understand how difficult it is" to win games.

It threatened to be a frustrating afternoon for the hosts, who saw Cole Palmer miss a Premier League penalty for the first time in the first half. 

But Marc Cucurella's long-range effort on the hour sealed a huge victory for the Blues, who leapfrogged Manchester City and into the Premier League top four. 

Indeed, Chelsea have won back-to-back top-flight games for the first time since a run of five victories between November and December 2024, but it was made difficult for them. 

Maresca, who previously managed the Foxes before making the move to Stamford Bridge, revealed that Leicester's back three system caught him off guard in the contest. 

"This is why I was so happy at the end. They gave everything and were unbelievable. It's not happy when you prepare for one thing and the other team arrives here, and it's completely different," Maresca told Sky Sports. 

"Between the first and second halves, we created enough to win the game. Marc scored a fantastic goal, but we had more chances to score a second one.

"It's not easy for the players because we had to adapt, and they did that fantastically.

"Sometimes the fans don't understand how difficult it is. We prepared the last three games in one and Leicester played in a different way. We need 12 players at home and I think we can be there."

Palmer's spot kick, saved by Mads Hermansen, was his first failure in 13 attempts, ending the best ever Premier League 100% penalty record.

It means that the 22-year-old has not scored in nine matches in all competitions, while he has taken 29 shots since last finding the net in the Premier League against Bournemouth in January.

Maresca insists there is no cause for alarm, revealing Palmer had nearly missed the game completely with illness.

"Cole is going to miss more penalties in life," Maresca said. "From the outside it's hard to understand. He didn't feel well during the night but he wanted to be there to help win the game. The people need to understand the effort he made to be there.

"The Leicester keeper is brilliant and everything is normal. With Cole, we are happy with him."

Leicester had just three shots an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.1 in the match, coming closest when Tosin Adarabioyo headed onto his own crossbar in the first half.

The Foxes have now lost five straight Premier League matches without scoring, but boss Ruud van Nistelrooy insists they are just missing a bit of luck.

"A lot of spirit and heart combined with good football. Off the ball as well, a new shape. We looked solid. I can't praise the players enough for this performance, and they deserved points," he told Match of the Day. 

"We worked last week on preparing this on-and off-the-ball shape. It looked natural. We brought more support for Jamie Vardy. I was happy to see that, and it's something to build on next week.

"The crosses need to connect with the box and, of course, you need some luck with the own goal off the crossbar, and it just wasn't there for Jamie Vardy.

"They never gave up. I see them every day in training. They work really hard."