Pochettino ‘so proud’ after boosting European hopes

Mauricio Pochettino says he is ‘so proud’ of his Chelsea players after we took a step closer to securing European football next season with a 2-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku helped the Blues secure a fourth consecutive Premier League victory for the first time since October 2022.

The victory – plus Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Newcastle United – moved Chelsea up to sixth in the table, three points ahead of the Magpies and Red Devils with one game remaining.

It means the Blues know that a draw or a victory against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Sunday will be enough to guarantee sixth and therefore European football next season, with Tottenham Hotspur in fifth three points ahead and therefore still within touching distance.

Pochettino said: ‘I am so happy for the players, they deserve the full credit because of the way they worked, they approached the game and tried to apply all of the work we have been doing on the training ground.

‘I feel so proud. To face a team like Brighton here in their stadium, it is always difficult and of course, we are so happy because the three points allow us to have the hope of achieving what we want, which is to play in Europe next season.’

Pochettino was also asked about two of the few negatives to come from what was ultimately a very successful evening at the Amex Stadium.

Our head coach confirmed Mykhailo Mudryk would miss the final match of the season due to being forced off through a concussion substitution just before half-time.

Pochettino said he hasn’t seen the incident back yet but confirmed Mudryk had been feeling dizzy and ‘we hope nothing is wrong’.

Reece James will also be absent for the match with Bournemouth and potentially the first two games of next season after he was sent off for violent conduct following a VAR review.

Pochettino said: ‘No I didn’t see it [after the game]. It is difficult for me to give my opinion when I have not had time to see the action.

‘Maybe it is the frustration of him but yes it is painful because it was a fantastic night of football, he is our captain and a really important player.

‘It is disappointing because now he will miss the next game and maybe a few games next season.’