Chelsea boss Pochettino slams ‘worst performance of season’

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said Saturday’s resounding 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United left him “very angry” and disappointed, as he branded his side’s performance the worst of the season .

Chelsea came into the game after positive results against Tottenham and Manchester City, but they collapsed in a second half which saw Newcastle score twice in a minute as well as a red card for captain Reece James.

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“It was the worst game of our season so far,” Pochettino said after watching the match from the stands due to a touchline ban.

He added: “We were gentle in every challenge. We didn’t compete. We didn’t show that we were playing for something important. That’s what makes me angry and disappointed. We We have to learn in these matches, which makes me very, very, very, very angry because we have to show more personality and character.”

Pochettino played down the effect of his absence on the touchline as his side struggled to compete with Newcastle, but was clearly frustrated with Chelsea’s performance.

“We can’t miss this kind of opportunity to show the best of ourselves. We come from Tottenham and City, and all over the world people praise Chelsea,” Pochettino said.

“[This] It was our worst game of the season. It was hard to be in the stands. We can’t complain about the result, we didn’t read the match from the start,” he added.

Eddie Howe has named three goalkeepers on Newcastle’s bench, with the club’s injury crisis leaving 13 players unavailable.

“It was a big win for us in the situation we find ourselves in with limited resources… when you look at the players we’re missing, it’s a giant performance,” Howe said.

Pochettino added: “Of course, if three goalkeepers on the bench [for Newcastle], it’s about how we compete. We didn’t show that we were competing for anything important.”