Pochettino on this topic:-
Chelsea’s match-winning goal scorer Conor Gallagher was described by manager Mauricio Pochettino as “priceless” after his two goals on Monday night helped Chelsea defeat Crystal Palace 3-1 in the Premier League.
After Jefferson Lerma’s wonder goal in the first half, Chelsea trailed 1-0 at the half. However, Gallagher’s goals just a minute into the second half and the winner in the 91st minute broke Palace’s resolve. Enzo Fernández added a third goal in the 94th minute to ensure Chelsea left Selhurst Park with three points.
In the first, Gallagher finished beautifully after a cross from Malo Gusto, and in the second, he skillfully tucked home from the edge of the area to give Chelsea the victory.
“It is precious to have a guy like him. I am really glad for him as it is a victory we needed,” Pochettino said of Gallagher, “I think Pochettino ,he is a player with a great devotion to the club, constantly trying to compensate for single scenario.”
With his contract expiring at the conclusion of the following season, Gallagher’s long-term future is uncertain, but Pochettino claims that last month, Gallagher never entertained any thoughts of leaving Chelsea. Gallagher was linked with a move away from Chelsea during the January transfer window, but he stayed put.
It is about him and the club. I am not [worried about] these types of things; he has another year left on his contract. But it is an issue for him and the club. it is always what he decided, what he said to me was that he wanted to continue at Chelsea,” Pochettino stated.
After Thiago Silva was substituted after 61 minutes due to a groin injury, Pochettino stated that the team would evaluate the extent of the problem on Tuesday. He also stated that Malo Gusto was tired rather than hurt later on.
Pochettino’s team came into this match in inconsistent form, having lost their last three Premier League games to Wolves and Liverpool. However, they had just won the FA Cup 3-1 at Aston Villa.
After Pochettino switched to a two-up front lineup with Christopher Nkunku replacing Noni Madueke at halftime, Chelsea gained a clinical advantage in the second half despite dominating possession and only managing one shot off target in the first half.
The task for Chelsea is to keep looking for a 90-minute performance; “That is the consistency which we need to alter,” stated Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. From there,Pochettino put together their match-winning performance, playing with the same level of energy they did against Villa.
“We need to try to play and perform consistently like we did against Aston Villa. It is not simple, but that is the challenge. We needed the three points, and I am really pleased,” the player said. “We need to start the game differently.”
After Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City on Sunday, they will play Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on February 25.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace, who are five points above the relegation zone in the league and are without injured players Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, and Eberechi Eze, were devastated by the loss.
“To be really honest, I am not in the mood to talk about positive things and try to find things to say that would make me feel better because I am not sure what could be said that would make me feel better,” Hodgson stated after the game.
“I could say something like, ‘With the players coming back and these guys playing so well, it bodes well for the future with the 14 games we have left.'” But I do not know what would make the players feel better.
“Unfortunately, we still do not know when Olise and Eze will return, so we may have to play through a few more games like we did tonight before we can examine a team that will pose a somewhat greater threat to the opponent than we did today.”
It is a bad period but it is been caused by the injury situation, but Hodgson is adamant the team will survive the drop despite their poor run of play, especially after January signing Adam Wharton impressed on Monday. Next up is a crucial match at Everton, and then they are at home to Burnley. “It is 14 games [left], a lot of matches and a lot of points and I think we have shown enough,” Hodgson said.
“I am not worried, but we need to win in order to move out of the relegation zone. We have a good enough team, and tonight gave me even more confidence and belief in our abilities.”
Jude Bellingham, the top midfield player, suffered a sprained ankle on Tuesday and was forced to miss Real Madrid’s Champions League round of 16 first leg against RB Leipzig. However, Carlo Ancelotti believes his squad can play without Bellingham.
The England international was anticipated to miss three weeks after limping out in the 57th minute of Saturday’s 4-0 La Liga victory over Girona, which gave Madrid a five-point lead at the top of the league table.
With 20 goals in all competitions this season, including four in his five Champions League games thus far as the La Liga powerhouses topped their group, Bellingham leads Madrid’s goal scorers.
“It is more fair to think about those who are here. Without Bellingham, we have won four games out of four [this season]. Those who have replaced him, whether it is Brahim [Díaz] or Joselu, have done well,” Ancelotti stated at a pre-match news conference in Leipzig on Monday.
“Bellingham, like [Thibaut] Courtois, [Éder] Militão, and [David] Alaba, is a very excellent player, but tomorrow is an opportunity to be even more motivated.”