Premier League: Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea to be 'more consistent' following late win against Crystal Palace
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino called for more consistency from his club following their late win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Connor Gallaghar netted twice to help Chelsea beat Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park.
The win ensured the Blues moved up to 10th in the Premier League standings, having picked 34 points from 24 matches, winning 10, losing 10 and drawing four games.
Speaking after the win, Pochettino said Chelsea were disappointing in the first half but started the second half really well. Chelsea were 0-1 down in the first half, thanks to a wonder strike from Jefferson Lerma.
“We were flat in the first 45 minutes, very disappointing. We need to react to the game. We need to avoid that and start a game like this so flat. Maybe there was a foul when we conceded. We started the second half really well and we scored. It was a tough game but I’m so pleased,” said Pochettino.
He went on to say that Chelsea need to be more consistent, adding that a change in tactics in the second half helped them score. Chelsea scored two goals in stoppage time to seal the win against Palace.
“We just want to build our confidence and realise we need to be more consistent. We used two strikers in between the centre-back and the full-back. We put Gusto and Chilwell higher and moved the ball quicker with Enzo in a number 10 role. It helped us score,” Pochettino added.
GALLAGHAR HAUNTS THE EAGLES
Chelsea secured a late 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, marking their 13th consecutive league win against the Eagles in the Premier League, making it a club record.
Despite a sluggish first half that saw Chelsea trailing after a stunning long-range strike from Lerma at the 30-minute mark, the Blues turned the game around in the second half.
Gallagher, a former Palace loanee, emerged as the hero for Chelsea, scoring twice to overturn the deficit. His first goal came just two minutes into the second half, neatly side-footing Malo Gusto’s cross into the net. As the match entered added time, Gallagher struck again in the 91st minute, slotting Cole Palmer’s cross into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The victory was sealed in the 94th minute when World Cup winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez neatly finished another counter-attack to net Chelsea’s third goal of the evening.
The result added pressure on Palace boss Roy Hodgson, with his team languishing in 15th place, only five points above the relegation zone.
