Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea are on the right track despite being pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.
Nicolas Jackson scored during a dominant first half for the Blues, but they had to share the points after Eberechi Eze's stunning long-range strike.
Dean Henderson's work in goal also frustrated Chelsea, who got seven of their 13 shots on target, creating 2.27 expected goals, but they struggled to recreate the clinical showing they put on at Wolves last weekend.
Despite still searching for their first Premier League home win of his tenure, Maresca was proud of his team's performance.
"We completely deserved to win the game," Marseca told Sky Sports. "We had many, many chances.
"The most important thing was the performance, and the performance was there. We conceded just two shots today.
"We didn't take the three points but playing the way we did today, I think we will win games.
"I feel a bit of shame for the result, but not the performance. The direction is the correct one.
"With the players arriving now, we can even better."
Palace were perhaps fortunate not to go down to 10 men in the second half, with Will Hughes not receiving what would have been a second booking for a foul on Palmer just before Eze equalised.
Asked if he believed it should have been a red card, Maresca admitted it would have changed the picture of the game.
"This kind of thing for sure changes the game," he added.
"It was a clear second yellow card, but the referee thinks in different ways. In that moment, we were also 1-0 up and the game completely would change 11 v 10."
Jackson pens Chelsea contract extension until 2033
Nicolas Jackson has signed a contract extension with Chelsea to keep him at the club until 2033, head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
The forward initially joined the Blues from Villarreal on an eight-year deal in 2023 and has now put pen to paper on a two-year extension.
In his first season at Stamford Bridge, Jackson scored 17 goals in all competitions, with his 14 Premier League goals making him Chelsea's second-highest scorer in the competition behind Cole Palmer.
He converted the second-most big chances (11) and created the third-most chances (39) for the Blues last term, also providing five Premier League assists.
Jackson is set to be a key figure under Maresca too, getting his second goal of the season in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday.
After that game, Maresca confirmed an announcement regarding a new deal was imminent, telling reporters: "I know he's signing a new contract.
"I'm very happy. Nicolas is doing a fantastic job on and off the ball.
"He scored already two goals [this season]. He scored again today. He had another two chances but we are happy with him."
Chelsea were linked with both Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen in the last few days of the transfer window, but Maresca says the new deal is representative of their faith in Jackson.
"I have faith, and the club also, even before. Not because we were looking for another striker, not that we don't trust Nicolas. We trust Nicolas," he said.
"I said last week when the transfer window was still open - he is doing fantastic with us. I am very happy with him."
Bayern Munich 2-0 Freiburg: Kane and Muller maintain Kompany's winning start
Thomas Muller marked his record-breaking 710th Bayern Munich appearance with a goal as they beat Freiburg 2-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Harry Kane was also on target from the penalty spot for the hosts, who made it two Bundesliga wins from two under Vincent Kompany.
Bayern broke through in the 38th minute after Max Rosenfelder was penalised for handball following a VAR review.
Kane stepped up and made no mistake as he calmly sent Freiburg goalkeeper Florian Muller the wrong way from 12 yards.
Thomas Muller climbed off the bench to seal the victory 12 minutes from time, controlling Serge Gnabry's cross before firing into the roof of the net.
Freiburg had the opportunity to grab a consolation in stoppage time after Joao Palhinha handled Ritsu Doan's shot, but Lucas Holer blazed over from the penalty spot.
Data Debrief: Muller marks historic day with landmark goal
The day belonged to Muller, who surpassed Sepp Maier to become Bayern's record appearance maker outright with 710. Fittingly, he marked the occasion with his 150th Bundesliga goal.
The 34-year-old has not found the net in a joint-record 16 successive German top-flight seasons, matching Holger Fach, Mats Hummels, Bernd Nickel, Olaf Thon and Michael Zorc.
Earlier on, Kane maintained his perfect record from the penalty spot in Bundesliga with six consecutive successful kicks.
The England captain has scored against all 17 opponents he has faced in Bundesliga, with only Miroslav Klose facing more opponents and netting against all of them (28).
Trophies still the target for Ten Hag despite Liverpool setback
Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United will push for trophies this season despite a humiliating 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ten Hag, who won the EFL Cup and FA Cup in his first two terms with the club, watched on as Luis Diaz's double and Mohamed Salah's second-half strike secured an impressive victory for the visitors.
While the statistics suggest it was a closely contested affair, Liverpool punished a series of errors from United at a disgruntled Old Trafford, with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo both culpable for senseless turnovers.
Of the Red Devils' eight shots, meanwhile, only three threatened Alisson's goal, as they ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.36 to Liverpool's 1.73.
But despite an underwhelming display ahead of the international break, Ten Hag is confident he can add more silverware to United's trophy cabinet this campaign.
"You can see the xG, we didn't concede as many goals. I don't think we are in the same pattern. It was sometimes open and we took risks," he told Sky Sports.
"But I don't want to talk about this after a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool. Well done Liverpool. We have to be humble and take it.
"There are many games to play and I know where we will be at the end of the season. We will go for trophies. That will stand."
It proved to be another difficult outing for Casemiro, who gifted Liverpool their opening goal with a poor pass out from the back before being bundled off the ball in the build-up to their second.
The Brazilian completed 27 of his 37 attempted passes, losing possession 13 times, with only Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot doing so on more occasions (both 16).
Casemiro was replaced at half-time by 20-year-old Toby Collyer, with Ten Hag later saying the decision was taken for the good of the team.
"It is what the team needed. You know when you are 2-0 down against Liverpool you have to take more risks, it will be open," he said.
"When you are losing you have to take more risks. I have to give compliments to the team. You have to keep fighting and sticking together.
"You know the game and he knows the game. He will go on and we will go on. He's a great player. We will continue this season to improve the team and the players.
"Is he still able to play at the highest level? He improved and has shown so often that he is a great character.
"We all have seen great moments from him and him being decisive in midfield. He will show that again and will bounce back."
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