LONDON: So far this season Chelsea have been regarded as a team in the making but one thing is for sure they can no longer be called boring – last night’s late 3-2 win with 10 men over Brighton saw them collect 23 goals in their last four games.
When the final whistle blew in the wintry rain at Stamford Bridge, players and coaching staff rushed onto the pitch in relief after the visitors pressed the Blues throughout in another roller-coaster game.
The twelve goals Mauricio Pochettino’s men have scored in their last four games – against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Brighton – have boosted confidence among Blues supporters that their long attacking drought is over.
But the 11 goals they conceded prove that Chelsea are still far behind the elite teams of the English Premier League.
“Yes, we conceded but to win you have to score. It’s entertaining, that’s football. People like to watch two attacking teams in action,” Pochettino told reporters.
“Of course, I want to score 10 goals and not concede at all but if you want to attack, sometimes you have to take risks and allow the opposition to create chances. But it’s about winning,” he said.
Chelsea looked comfortable again after being beaten 4-1 by Newcastle last weekend when Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill both scored their first league goals for the club in the 17th and 21st minutes.
A curling goal drew the visitors from Facundo Buonanotte and Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher’s second yellow card just before the break clearly threatened the hosts’ position.
Fernandez’s goal from the penalty spot in the 65th minute restored a two-goal lead for The Blues, before Joao Pedro’s late header set off a flurry in the final minutes, including a penalty kick for Brighton that was disallowed after a VAR review.
Pochettino praised his youngsters for handling the challenge of playing half a game with 10 men, although he felt Gallagher did not deserve a second yellow card for a tackle from behind on ex-Chelsea player Billy Gilmour.
“I told them at halftime… I’m glad it happened because it’s a great opportunity for us,” he said.
“It’s a big challenge. Come on, now we have to prove ourselves as a team. It’s something that will definitely help us improve.”
Chelsea, who are 10 points behind the top four in 10th place, face Manchester United at home early Thursday morning.