Maurizio Sarri praised the response of Kepa Arrizabalaga after he played a key role in Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Fulham on Sunday.
Goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Jorginho ensured Chelsea inflicted a losing start on Fulham caretaker boss Scott Parker, and kept them in contention to finish in the top four.
Related: Sarri Still Undecided Over Kepa
The decisive goal came just three minutes after Calum Chambers had equalised, while Kepa made fine saves to deny Cottagers star Aleksandar Mitrovic on two occasions.
Kepa – the world’s most expensive goalkeeper at £71.6million from Athletic Bilbao – ignored Sarri’s attempts to replace him in last Sunday’s Carabao Cup final loss to City, with penalties looming.
Initially downplayed as a misunderstanding over an injury, Kepa was fined and dropped for Wednesday’s win over Tottenham, with Willy Caballero starting in his place.
“It was a normal decision (to recall him),” Sarri said. “The reaction today was really very good. He paid with the club, with the team. Now the situation is closed.”
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