Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance and a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup on Wednesday. Pochettino hopes that this win will serve as a catalyst to revitalize Chelsea’s Premier League campaign, which has encountered a challenging start.
The pivotal moment in the third-round match came in the 50th minute when Nicolas Jackson found the back of the net, securing Chelsea’s first win in four games across all competitions. This victory sets up a last-16 clash with Blackburn Rovers, scheduled for the week commencing October 30.
Chelsea currently finds themselves in the 14th position in the Premier League, with only one win from their first six games. Their recent league performances have included two draws and three losses, with just five goals scored during the competition.
Pochettino acknowledged the significance of the win, stating, “It was a good response from the team. I’m very pleased with the performance again… Today was a must-win.” He highlighted the team’s dominant second-half display and expressed his belief that the victory was well-deserved.
Furthermore, Pochettino emphasized the importance of progressing in the competition, aiming to build trust and momentum for the team. He expressed optimism about carrying this positive momentum into future fixtures.
However, there was a concern for Chelsea as left-back Ben Chilwell had to leave the match late due to a suspected hamstring injury. Pochettino indicated that further assessment would be necessary, but initial signs pointed towards a hamstring issue. Chilwell had previously missed several months of action last season, including the World Cup, due to a hamstring problem.
Chelsea’s focus now shifts back to Premier League action, with a match against Fulham scheduled for Sunday.
