LONDON (Reuters) – Chelsea’s season has been a bit inconsistent so far, but one thing it can’t be called is boring. Sunday’s 3-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion brought their total goals in the last four league games to 23.
As the final whistle blew at Stamford Bridge, players and coaching staff rushed onto the pitch in both relief and celebration after the visitors gave Chelsea a run for their money in another thrilling game.
The 12 goals scored by Mauricio Pochettino’s team in their last four games – against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Brighton – have given Blues fans hope that their struggles in attack are behind them.
However, the 11 goals they conceded show that Chelsea still has work to do to compete with the Premier League’s best.
“Yes, we have conceded, but to win, you need to score. That’s entertainment, that’s football. People love to see two offensive teams playing,” Pochettino told reporters.
“Of course, I want to score 10 goals and not concede any, but if you want to be offensive, you sometimes take risks and concede chances. But it’s about winning,” he said.
Chelsea looked poised for a comfortable win after last weekend’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle, when Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill both scored their first league goals for the club in the 17th and 21st minutes.
A goal by Facundo Buonanotte and a second yellow card for Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher just before halftime, however, made the game far more interesting.
Fernanadez’s penalty strike in the 65th minute restored the two-goal lead for the Blues, but a late Joao Pedro header set up a nervy finale which included a penalty for Brighton that was over-ruled after a VAR check.
Pochettino praised his young players for rising to the challenge of playing half the match with 10 men, even if he felt Gallagher did not deserve his second booking.
“I told them at halftime … I am happy that that happened because it’s a great opportunity for us,” he said. “It’s a massive challenge. Come on, now we need to show that we are a team. That is a thing that for sure will improve us.”
Chelsea, who currently sit 10 points off the top four in 10th spot, will face Manchester United away on Wednesday.
Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi lamented the “three very stupid goals” his side conceded but refused to be drawn on the decision that allowed Fernandez to score from the spot and make the score 3-1.
“About football, what you want, but about the referee (Craig Pawson) I didn’t see nothing,” said the Italian who has been given a touchline ban in the past for his conduct towards match officials. “We have to accept every decision.”
(Reporting by William Schomberg; Editing by Ken Ferris)
