Poch admits key man injured as first Chelsea win in four games relieves crisis
Chelsea's Carabao Cup win over Brighton was marred by yet another injury for Mauricio Pochettino's struggling side.
The third round win over high flying Brighton at Stamford Bridge was overshadowed by an injury scare involving England defender Ben Chilwell. The Blues had been struggling, failing to score a single goal in their previous three games.
With defeats against Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, as well as a goalless draw against Bournemouth, the pressure was mounting on Pochettino. Making some changes to the lineup, the Argentinian boss sought to turn his team's fortunes around in the League Cup.
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It was Nicolas Jackson's goal early in the second half that ultimately made the difference, but towards the end of the match, there was concern as Chilwell limped off the pitch. According to the Mirror, Pochettino said: "Yes, we need to assess tomorrow but I think it is [his] hamstring."
The injury scare will undoubtedly worry Chelsea fans, considering Chilwell's history with hamstring problems. A similar injury had previously kept him out of the 2022 World Cup.
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The victory over Brighton comes as a relief for Pochettino, who acknowledged the pressure he was under. He described the game as a "must win" and expressed satisfaction with his team's performance in the second half.
Pochettino said he believed Chelsea dominated the game and fully deserved the victory. He said: "Of course, the uncertainty and sometimes the pressure to win means not to be perfect in our positions [on the pitch]. But I think in the second half we dominated the game and fully deserved the victory."
Chelsea face Blackburn Rovers in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. Blackburn secured their spot by defeating Cardiff City in an all-Championship clash.
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The match ended with a 5-2 victory for Rovers, after an impressive second-half display. Jon Dahl Tomasson, the Blackburn manager, praised his team's attitude and spirit, highlighting their clinical finishing and attacking prowess.
In the Premier League, Chelsea also have a series of important fixtures coming up. They will face Fulham in a west London derby, followed by matches against Burnley, Arsenal, and Brentford.
The victory over Brighton provides a glimmer of hope and could potentially serve as a turning point in their season. However, injuries continue to be a concern, especially with Chilwell's latest setback.
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