Analysis: Are Chelsea rotating too much?

Chelsea have made seven changes or more for the past five matches in a row across all competitions.

They have now made 85 changes to their starting XIs this season – the most of any Premier League side – across their 16 games.

Of course, Chelsea are competing on four fronts, having endured the unique experience of winning the Club World Cup, extending last season to 13 months, with only two weeks of pre-season to prepare for this campaign.

Rotation also shows trust in youngsters like Tyrique George, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Estevao Willian, and Andrey Santos.

Yet only in Estevao's case does such trust feel truly warranted at this level and on this latest performance.

Maresca accepts that his rotation policy will be questioned "whenever we don't win" but seems entirely at ease with it despite a major dip from the last match, a dominant display away at fierce rivals Tottenham.

Two starters from that match were key to saving the day, with Alejandro Garnacho and Enzo Fernandez key to equalising and creating later chances to win.

There was also disappointment to see Romeo Lavia suffer an injury, Maresca suggesting it could be to his quadriceps, adding to the midfielder's chronic problems since joining for £55m from Southampton.

This result was no disaster, given there is plenty of opportunity to qualify with matches against Barcelona, Atalanta, Pafos and Napoli remaining, but slows momentum and could have been a real embarrassment had Chelsea lost.