‘We are Chelsea’ - Mauricio Pochettino issues defiant battle cry after Newcastle United win

Mauricio Pochettino urged patience in the “project” after putting Newcastle United to the sword at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea played arguably their best football of the season against a Toon outfit that, once again, looked sloppy in defence. The Magpies were able to control possession but allowed Cole Palmer acres of land in the final third.

The former Manchester City man bagged a goal and an assist - with Gareth Southgate in the stands - to move the Blues within a point of 10th-placed Newcastle. Injuries to Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn compiled the misery on Eddie Howe, whose side has now conceded the most away goals in 2023-24.

Speaking post-match, Chelsea boss Pochettino reassured their fans that they are on the right track despite another underwhelming campaign. The Argentine said: "We need to understand that we are Chelsea. We are in a project that is completely different (to the past). Some people might be confused. When people don’t want to listen, it’s difficult.

"But we are trying to explain we are a different Chelsea, we are building something different. It’s going to be tough. We need to keep believing, even when it’s tough circumstances.

“We played (the Carabao Cup) final, 120 minutes, then after three days we played the FA Cup and we played Brentford. In six days we played three very tough games, nearly with the same team.

"It was really tough. If that means we are a disaster, ok. The most important thing is it’s not affecting the team. They know what they need to do and we keep believing. The win today is important for our fans to be a little bit more calm. But I think if we don’t win our next game, it’s going to be a problem again. That is Chelsea."