Mauricio Pochettino said that Chelsea are allowed to “dream to play in Europe next season” following their fiery 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at The Amex on Wednesday. Chelsea now need only a draw on the final day of the season to secure a sixth-place finish, which could wind up being a Europa League spot depending on the result of the FA Cup final.
Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday allows his side to “dream” of European football next season.
Cole Palmer and the returning Christopher Nkunku scored either side of half-time to put Pochettino’s side on their way to a fourth consecutive victory. Reece James’ straight red card for kicking out at Joao Pedro caused for a nervy finish, but Danny Welbeck’s goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time was the extent of the resulting damage.
Pochettino, who has come under immense criticism throughout the season for Chelsea’s performances, said he was “so happy” with his side’s performance and its implications on the Premier League table.
“It’s always very competitive, the Premier League is the toughest league in the world,” he told Sky Sports. “Full credit to the players, we fully deserved the victory, that’s why I’m so happy and it allows us to dream to play in Europe next season.
“We need to think about recovery and keep the mentality of going to win and see what happens. The most important thing is belief and performances and the performances and results are really good.
“We dominated from the beginning against a team that’s not easy to play, that’s why we’re so proud and so happy. The evolution of the team is there.”
Chelsea have enjoyed an upturn in form towards the end of the campaign and have now picked up four successive victories. They could still finish above fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur if results go their way on the final day of the season.
Pochettino told BBC’s Match of the Day how his side is finally reaping the benefits of their patience in the tough times.
“Brighton is a very good team and it’s always difficult to play here,” he said.
“We have improved results and performances. We talked about patience and when you need to build something you need time but it always looks like an excuse at a big club. We have kept working and being positive and to finish in a good way would be good for the club.”
James’ red card two minutes from time was a contentious moment on a night in which VAR has become a major talking point, after Wolverhampton Wanderers lauched a proposal to the Premier League to scrap the officiating system.
But Pochettino was not drawn on a response to whether VAR should be abolished.
“Next season we have to see if we can improve how we use VAR,” he said. “For me it’s not in or out, it’s about improving how we use it. It can be amazing to have it in the right way and VAR can be a fantastic tool to help the referees and us.”
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi expressed his disappointment in the performance of referee Michael Salisbury.
De Zerbi felt his side should have been awarded a penalty when Simon Adingra was tripped in the box by Malo Gusto in the first half. VAR did not intervene with Salisbury’s call to not award the spot-kick.
And despite the ongoing discussion around VAR, De Zerbi felt the brunt of the blame fell to the feet of the referee.
“I think we played a very good second half and the second part of the first half as well”, he told Sky Sports. “We know the qualities of Chelsea.
“I think we gave our best and we have another game to reach the top 10 position. It has been a very tough season and the fans have understood everything.
“We have competed in a good way but have lost too many points at home, especially in the first part of the season and we have paid for that.
“I think it was a clear penalty today. But the problem is not VAR, the problem is the level of the referees. Today I did not like the performance of the referee. But I make more mistakes than the referee.
“I am happy for this season but I am sorry because I am disappointed and wished we would compete in a different way. Next season we can be a stronger squad and team.”
The defeat extended a poor run of form which has seen De Zerbi’s side pick up just one victory in their last nine matches.
Brighton face Manchester United at The Amex on the final day of the Premier League season.