MAURICIO Pochettino admitted Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City has effected them – but the Blues boss was pleased with his side’s “character” as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Aston Villa last weekend.
Chelsea lost 5-0 at Arsenal after their defeat to City and were then 2-0 down at half-time at Villa park after Marc Cucurella’s own goal and Morgan Rogers’ strike.
The visitors responded well after the break and claimed a point after goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher.
“We were so affected by the semi-final of the FA Cup against Manchester City. We were so disappointed,” Pochettino said. “We struggled a little bit to recover from there and Arsenal, who are doing well, they punished us so much. But [against Villa] the team showed good character and good performance.
“If we analyse the game, we were the better side. I can say we deserved to win but I think it makes me very happy and pleased that we were able to perform against a team in a very good position, doing a fantastic season and to show that we can compete in this way.”
Chelsea thought they had won it in the 95th minute when Axel Disasi headed inBenoit Badiashile’s cross. But the video assistant referee recommended referee Craig Pawson to look at the lead-up to the goal, and he judged that Badiashile had fouled a Villa defender and disallowed it.
Pochettino said: “We were talking a little bit. The referee didn’t see the action on the field. What he saw wasn’t a foul for him but then the VAR changed the decision. If the referee had said, ‘it was a foul’, and then stuck with the decision, then okay no problem.
“The referee saw the action, he didn’t see a foul and then go check on the VAR. It was a challenge that happens so many times in football. Disappointed because in this moment, it was massive for us, to have success and believe we can get in the European competition for next season. That is why it is painful.
“I will put myself in trouble if I say anything but I think everyone saw that it wasn’t a foul. To be honest, it’s a push from behind – not with the power to say it’s a foul.
“One of the most important things after Arsenal is about the team showing great character.”
Pochettino was asked if some players had staked a claim to be at the club beyond the summer with the way they fought back.
He replied: “Yes, of course. We need to assess the players and to project for the future. That is a thing, of course, the owners, sporting director and in this case, us, we need to talk. We are open to talk and then we will see when we talk.”
Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday (May 2) before another Stamford Bridge London derby against West Ham United on Sunday.
