“It’s not important for you or for our fans to know” - Chelsea boss Pochettino admits ‘something affected' his team before Fulham game
Mauricio Pochettino said that 'something affected' Chelsea before their Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday (January 13).
However, the Argentine tactician did not elaborate on the aforementioned incident. He said after the 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge (h/t Metro):
"Something happened before the game, but I’m not going to explain. But I think that affected the team a little bit [in the first half]... No, no, no, nothing [when asked to elaborate on what happened before the game]. I think I was… no, nothing. Nothing, nothing, sorry.
"It’s nothing big, small details sometimes affect the team. You need to know only that something affected the performance, in my opinion, but it’s not important for you [journalists] or for our fans to know. Sorry, sorry."
Chelsea grew into the game as time passed and eventually got themselves on the scoreboard in first-half stoppage time. Issa Diop fouled Raheem Sterling inside the box and Cole Palmer converted the resulting penalty kick just seconds before the first-half whistle.
The Blues recorded their third league win in a row for the first time this season and bounced back from the 1-0 EFL Cup first-leg semi-final loss to Middlesbrough. The win takes Chelsea to eighth in the table, where they sit with 31 points from 21 matches.
Their next assignment is the second leg of the semi-final against Middlesbrough, which takes place in west London on 23 December.
Chelsea boss speaks on Raheem Sterling penalty record after Fulham win
Raheem Sterling extended his record for most penalties won in Premier League history during Chelsea's win against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Some quick footwork from the former Liverpool and Manchester City winger drew Issa Diop into making a challenge in first-half stoppage time. This was the 26th time the England international won a spot-kick in England's top flight, which, as per Squawka, is three more than any other player in the competition's history.
Sterling has been accused of diving by opposition fans in the past and not all of the penalties he has won have convinced both sets of fans. However, there can hardly be any questions raised over the foul he drew from Diop, as there seemed to be clear contact between the two players' right feet.
Speaking on Sterling's penalty record after the game, Mauricio Pochettino said, via Football.London:
"We work on that. No! It's good for the team. Today was good action and good performance to provide the team the penalty and then Palmer's execution was excellent."
Sterling, 29, has racked up seven goals and six assists in 24 games across competitions this season.