Chelsea supervisor Graham Potter lamented Sunday’s 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, calling it a “painful” expertise and expressing sympathy for the supporters’ exasperation at yet one more loss in his transient tenure, the sixth in 9 video games, solely including to the membership’s woes.
Chelsea had been booed at halftime after they went into the break 3-0 down earlier than they misplaced to City for a 3rd time in as many months this season.
The defeat marked the primary time in 25 years that Chelsea had exited the FA Cup within the third spherical, whereas they’re additionally out of the League Cup after dropping to City in November.
“I thought we were second best to a very good side. Obviously, we’re not in a great moment,” Potter instructed reporters. “Manchester City did very well by way of stopping us … however on the identical time, we struggled.
“We then needed to chase the ball in opposition to Man City and we had been caught between making an attempt to commit extra males ahead and never being opened up. The first half was painful and hard for us all.
“Congratulations Man City. They deserved to win of course. We’re disappointed because we’ve gone out.”
Chelsea’s dispiriting efficiency away on the Etihad Stadium additionally prompted the touring followers to chant to help former supervisor Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked in September, in addition to the membership’s former proprietor Roman Abramovich.
“We can’t do anything apart from doing our jobs better and working harder. We understand the supporters’ frustration. That is understandable and we’ll respect that,” Tuchel stated.
“Our job is … to keep working, see the situation for what it is. Of course, there are always other opinions, negativity and criticism because the results haven’t been positive. That’s part of the job and the challenge.”
Chelsea’s subsequent sport is a Premier League London derby away at Fulham on Thursday. Potter’s aspect are tenth within the league, 10 factors away from a top-four spot.
“We need to stay together as a group, support each other, and I’m sure we will get the support of the supporters when we see good performances and results,” he concluded.