Chelsea manager Graham Potter has said he "understands the supporters' frustration" after the away end at Etihad Stadium broke out into chants directed at Thomas Tuchel and Roman Abramovich. The duo, who both departed their roles at Stamford Bridge in 2022, were the recipients of chants from a disgruntled Chelsea away following after Manchester City embarrassed the Blues with a 4-0 thrashing in the FA Cup third round.
Chelsea were haunted by Mahrez, for the second time in four days after he struck the winner at Stamford Bridge, who struck a delightful free-kick past Kepa Arrizabalaga before Kai Havertz then bizarrely handled inside the penalty area from a City corner with a spot kick then converted by Julian Alvarez, with Chelsea fans insisting he should be sold in the summer.
A sweeping Man City move from left-to-right finished off by Foden made it 3-0, with Mahrez then adding another from the spot in the second half after a clumsy foul by Kalidou Koulibaly on Foden.
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Two press conferences quickly followed with Pep Guardiola first offering some advice to Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly, insisting the former Brighton boss should be given more time at the helm of Chelsea.
While Potter delivered updates on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling after the duo were subbed of with injuries against City earlier in the week, Aubameyang was absent from the matchday squad.
"Christian opened up his knee in the game the other day. We’re still sorting of analysing it but it’s going to be weeks I would say for him," Potter said. "Raheem had an action in the first minute of the game, a back heel that was a bit strange and felt something in his hamstring. Again we’re analysing that. Aubameyang had a tight back yesterday so was unable to travel."
Potter was also asked about his thoughts on the chants from the away end aimed at his and Boehly's predecessors, Tuchel and Abramovich.
“We can’t do anything apart from do our jobs better and work harder," he said. "We understand the supporters’ frustration, that is understandable and we’ll respect that. Our job is to do our jobs, to keep working, see the situation for what it is, and 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 next face Fulham in a London derby in the Premier League on Thursday, January 12 with Potter searching for his first win in three.
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