Mauricio Pochettino has defended his passionate reaction to Chelsea’s sensational 4-3 comeback win over Manchester United.
Cole Palmer scored two goals in second-half injury time - strikes coming in the 97th and 101st minutes - to complete a hat-trick and save Chelsea from a defeat after earlier throwing away a two-goal lead in a sensational match at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentine was seen running around the pitch after Palmer broke United hearts with the latest match-winning goal in Premier League history.
But Pochettino, speaking to reporters after the game, said such emotions have to be organic after he was criticised for his lack of passion on the touchline and perceived struggles to identify with Chelsea supporters.
“Passion is not to be a crazy guy doing stupid things on the touchline,” Pochettino said. “I am not like this. The team needs to show passion as 11 players on the pitch, running, trying desperately to get the ball back and score goals.
“I think that’s the passion our fans need to see. I need to be clinical, calm and analytical to focus on the game. At the end of the game, of course, show your passion like I showed today. It is not a circus that you need a clown on the touchline.
“We are one of the youngest teams in Europe and we need to be calm in everything you tell them to help. I am not a clown, I am a head coach, if someone wants a clown, find a clown.”
Chelsea looked certain to suffer a humiliating defeat, and their first from two goals up since a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in 1999, after Alejandro Garnacho scored either side of a Bruno Fernandes headed finish.
But Pochettino believes Chelsea deserved to win. “It was amazing because overall I think we deserved,” he added. “We were the better team and it was fair that we scored in the last minute.
“We suffered a big emotional impact that wasn’t easy to deal with. The second half, we controlled the game, but conceded in transition.
“Of course, I am disappointed with how we conceded in transition but it was fair to finish how we finished to create the connection between fans and players, players and fans.
“It was a good thing and should be a turning point to create trust. It was emotional game to win like this and it was an emotional game and a must-win game.”
