Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Chelsea, expressed his intense displeasure after witnessing his team crumble embarrassingly in a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday.
Despite equalizing with a Raheem Sterling free kick after Alexander Isak’s opening goal, Chelsea’s performance collapsed in the second half. Goals from Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton, and Anthony Gordon secured a decisive lead for Newcastle. To compound Chelsea’s woes, right-back Reece James received a red card.
In a post-match statement, Pochettino did not hold back in criticizing his players. He stated, “We weren’t prepared properly, and we didn’t show the right mentality. It was too easy for Newcastle. I’m very angry and disappointed with how soft we were.”
Due to a touchline ban, Pochettino was forced to watch the unraveling of his team helplessly from the stands. The substantial loss raises serious concerns about Chelsea’s outlook in the upcoming crucial week.
While Pochettino lamented his team’s lack of resilience, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised his depleted squad’s character and determination. Despite having 13 players sidelined due to injuries, the Magpies delivered an inspiring team performance, led by the returning Alexander Isak.
The emphatic victory propels Newcastle to sixth place in the table, setting them up favorably for their upcoming UEFA Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain.
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