SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 5 hrs 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
CL
Premier League | Gameweek 14
Dec 2, 2018 at 12pm UK
 
FL

2-0

Pedro (4'), Loftus-Cheek (82')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Sarri could see tension in his Chelsea players

:Headline: Sarri could see tension in his Chelsea players: ID:343141: from db_amp
Goals from Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek sealed the win for the Blues over neighbours Fulham.

Maurizio Sarri blamed nerves for Chelsea's underwhelming performance in a 2-0 win over Premier League bottom club Fulham.

Pedro struck after four minutes after N'Golo Kante had dispossessed Jean Michael Seri – a passage of play described as a "present" by Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri.

But Chelsea's second came late on through substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as Sarri lamented the failure to "kill" the contest.

Loftus-Cheek celebrates scoring Chelsea's second against Fulham (Andrew Matthews/PA)

"After the 1-0 the players on the pitch had a very good level of application, attention, but without trying to kill the match," Sarri said.

"We needed to kill the match before (we did). But I think today we were a little bit tense."

Chelsea responded from their first loss of the competitive season, a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham ending an 18-game unbeaten streak, by beating PAOK Salonika on Thursday and following up by beating their west London rivals.

Sarri stressed the result was more important than the performance, having criticised his players' display at Wembley.

The Blues boss deflected the suggestion his comments may have contributed to any tension.

"I think in Tottenham 11 players played very badly and so I thought that today it was natural to give them another chance," Sarri added.

"Of course, it wasn't easy the days after Tottenham, for me, for the players.

"But I think we have talked too much about that match. We lost a match after three months and a half. It can happen.

"Today it was important to react. The team reacted really very well in the Europa League.

"Today was more important, of course, and I think in the mind of the players there was only the result."

Kante had been singled out for criticism by Sarri, who said the France World Cup-winning midfielder performed "well" against Fulham, while also demanding further tactical improvement.

Chelsea's N'Golo Kante (left) was in the spotlight at Stamford Bridge (Andrew Matthews/PA)

"I remember only one mistake in the first half," Sarri added.

Loftus-Cheek is pressing Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic for a starting place.

Sarri said: "In the last three weeks he solved me problems."

Alvaro Morata dropped to the bench as Olivier Giroud started up front, but the Spain striker missed a straightforward chance when coming on as a substitute.

"They need more continuity," Sarri said of his strikers.

Former Chelsea and Leicester boss Ranieri was taking charge of Fulham for only the second time.

Derby day disappointment for the Whites. Goals either side of the break give Chelsea the win at Stamford Bridge.

Posted by Fulham FC Official on Sunday, December 2, 2018

He felt the performance was better than his first, a 3-2 win over Southampton, but rued the early concession of a goal.

"It's strange to say, but I think we played much better today than in the Southampton match," said Ranieri, whose side next face Leicester, with whom he won an improbable Premier League title in 2016.

"At the beginning we gave a good present when we lost the ball and they scored on the counter-attack, but afterwards we reacted very well.

"When you concede a goal from the beginning, it's difficult. I changed the diamond at half-time and played with two wingers.

"We created some problems for them, (and had some) good chances to draw the match.

"In the end, when you change with some quality players, they can score a second. But I'm satisfied with how we reacted, how we played, but now we want to improve."

amp_article__343141 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-12-03 16:29:20:
html db last update - 2021-03-04 14:39:15 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Maurizio Sarri

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .