Mauricio Pochettino denied rumours Cole Palmer is carrying an injury, as he lamented a key penalty decision in Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final defeat.
The Blues were unlucky to lose 1-0, but were narrowly beaten when Bernardo Silva turned in Kevin De Bruyne’s cross late on to secure a win for a tired-looking Manchester City.
Chelsea missed several huge chances, with striker Nicolas Jackson in particular wasteful, and saw a penalty shout waved away as Cole Palmer’s free-kick struck Jack Grealish’s arm.
When asked about the incident, Pochettino explained why he approached referee Michael Oliver after the match. “From the touchline, it was difficult to see if it was a penalty.
‘I was talking [to the referee] because after Jesus [Perez] and my staff said it was a penalty. I only said to him, ‘Why not go and check the penalty on the TV?’.
“I think from what I saw [it was a penalty], but move on.”
Should Chelsea have been awarded a penalty for a handball by Jack Grealish? 🤔#BBCFootball #FACup #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/buBMeLiOze
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 20, 2024
Palmer was again one of Chelsea’s best performers, but there were rumours that he was carrying an injury. That is despite the 25-goal talisman playing with bandages on his leg, but Pochettino denied he was anything but tired.
The Blues boss said: “It’s normal. He’s tired, but I don’t believe he has a problem. We need to check tomorrow, but I hope there’s nothing more wrong than his tiredness.”
Pochettino continued to bemoan Chelsea’s finishing, adding: “In football, the most important thing is to be clinical and not to concede.
“We competed well, I cannot say we were the better side because that in football is difficult to measure.
“The most important thing is we competed. Competing in this way, we need to take positives from the game. This type of group of players needs this type of moments in games.
“Now, it’s about taking the positive things and trying to build in the things that we need, the areas we need to improve. Now is the time to finish the season in the best way and then to speak about how we can be better next season.”
