It seems a lifetime ago that Jose Mourinho, before his first spell at Chelsea, careered down the Old Trafford touchline to celebrate a Porto winner against Manchester United.
That was 2004, before Estevao was even born. Now, 21 years later, Enzo Maresca is the man who flew down the Stamford Bridge grass to cheer a goal scored by his 18-year-old Brazillian attacker.
Chelsea had been up against it when facing Liverpool on Sunday night, having led 1-0 through Moises Caicedo’s long-range effort before being pegged back by Cody Gakpo.
But Estevao popped up at the end of the game to net the winner, condemning Liverpool to a third-straight defeat and launching Chelsea to sixth in the table.
The teenager ran to the corner flag to perform a knee slide and celebrate, and he was followed by his team-mates, as would be expected.
But then television cameras cut to the touchline, and Maresca was seen sprinting down the touchline to join in and celebrate with his players.
Enzo Maresca celebrated his side’s winner against Liverpool by running down the touchline
The Italian sprinted out of his dugout to celebrate with his players after Estevao’s late goal
The Italian was then seen punching the air and celebrating in front of the home fans, before making a quick escape and heading back his his dugout.
But he wasn’t swift enough to avoid punishment, having already received a yellow card earlier in the game. He was given his marching orders by manager Anthony Taylor.
That was the Blues’ fourth red card in five games, following Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah and Joao Pedro.
But it was an important three points for Maresca’s side, who had lost against Brighton last time out.
Liverpool, meanwhile, after being five points clear at the top of the league last time out, have surrendered that lead to Arsenal, who beat West Ham 2-0 earlier in the day.
Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge said of the celebrations on Sky Sports: ‘You saw what it meant to Chelsea – not just to the players but to the management. Maresca was being questioned, and the start of the season wasn’t ideal.
‘They will come out of this game understanding that they’re capable of performances like that – but they need to do it game after game.’
Mourinho, meanwhile, returned to Chelsea as recently as in the week, as he took his Benfica side to Stamford Bridge in a 1-0 defeat.
Jose Mourinho ran down the Old Trafford touchline to celebrate a winner for his side in 2004
Enzo Maresca mirrored him, but was shown a second yellow card and therefore a red
‘Of course I thank them,’ he said after supporters sang his name three times during the game. ‘I did it on the pitch. I live around here. I talk with them every day on the street.
‘I hope to come back here in 20 years with my grandkids. They [Chelsea] belong to my history and I belong to theirs.’
