ANGRY Chelsea player was seen walking down the tunnel after being subbed off in Chelsea Victory yesterday
Chelsea executives Behdad Eghbali, Laurence Stewart, and Paul Winstanley were all pictured coming down the tunnel at full-time after Mauricio Pochettino’s team defeated bottom-of-the-league Sheffield United 2-0.
Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson scored second-half goals to ensure the Blues kept all three points at Stamford Bridge, moving them up to tenth place. While Palmer will be remembered as the opening goal’s scorer, the opportunity was primarily created by Raheem Sterling’s work along the right side of the Blades penalty area.
The England internationals linked up again thanks to a nice cross, bringing the 21-year-old up to nine goal involvements in only ten Chelsea starts this season. The most recent of these was Jackson’s goal, which was as gritty as it was much-needed for the Blues to feel at ease.
Sterling was played in on the hour mark, but his mishandling resulted in Conor Gallagher bobbling the ball into the path of Palmer, who sent the ball across the six-yard box into the path of Jackson, who tapped it into the net. There was some initial doubt regarding whether referee Andy Madley had even given the goal, but the players ultimately realised and the celebrations began.
It’s a much-needed boost for the Blues, who have been inconsistent under Pochettino in recent weeks. The two highlight wins have been a 4-1 triumph over fierce rivals Tottenham and a 4-4 draw against treble-winning Manchester City, but losses to Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Everton have threatened to destroy the Argentine’s era before it has really begun.
However, football.london understands that the board is still backing Pochettino as he builds his vision in the manner that he deems suitable. The Chelsea manager has often promised the media and supporters that things will improve with time, and it appears that Pochettino has a strong relationship with those at the top of the club.
The Chelsea directors dropping into the dressing room has become something of a habit, especially after a win. Pochettino remarked earlier this season, before of the club’s Carabao Cup third-round home encounter against Brighton, “I like when the owners come [in].” Throughout my coaching career at Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Paris Saint-Germain, I have always thought it was a good idea for the owner to visit the dressing room.
“The most crucial aspect is how they approach the players. They are quite welcome if they are in a decent and correct manner. They came and shared with us after my press conference on Sunday [against Villa].
“They also did it against Liverpool, Luton Town, and Nottingham Forest.” They came with Paul and Laurence, Behdad, and occasionally Todd, and they shared some comments, and we always talked about the game after my media duties.
“I don’t perceive it negatively. It’s always excellent for me if they share with us and then greet the players. If they came for a speech or something else, that is a different story. However, they are really welcome in the manner in which they arrive. They own the club, therefore I believe they are free to do whatever they want.
“I think they are in a very good way and we are so glad that they came and shared time with us – even when we won the game or we didn’t win and we’re suffering.”
