Chelsea’s “outstanding” success in the Premier League avenged their FA Cup final loss to Leicester, but Thomas Tuchel said “the job is not done yet” in the race for a top-four finish.
In front of 8,000 ecstatic supporters at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea dominated the game, taking a two-goal lead thanks to Jorginho’s penalty and Antonio Rudiger’s close-range finesse.
The sometimes stormy victory lifts Chelsea up to third place, above Leicester, who will drop out of the top four if Liverpool beat Burnley on Wednesday, and puts their hopes of a top-four finish in their own hands ahead of their meeting with Aston Villa on the final day.
Tuchel was delighted with his players’ response to Saturday’s defeat at Wembley but urged caution as the Champions League race goes to the wire.
“It was an outstanding performance but the job is not done. We have two more to go,” he told Sky Sports, referencing the Premier League clash with Villa and the Champions League final against Manchester City.
“It was the fans who made all the difference.” You can see the tempo, the hunger, and the ambition in our game. It was a fantastic success, and I’m overjoyed that the team can put on such a show in front of our fans.
“That’s just what we needed today.” It was a significant victory, but it is not yet time to rejoice.”
“It was an OK result in the cup,” he said, “but today was a top performance.”
“The consistency and energy in the first half, as well as the second half, is incredible. We gave up an easy goal, which cost us a point in the end, but it was a well-deserved victory.”
The win might have been more comfortable had Chelsea not been denied a penalty in the first half when Timo Werner was kicked by Youri Tielemans in the Leicester box.
Tuchel was once again left frustrated by the decisions that went against his side.
“It’s a clear penalty. They [VAR] are horrible against us and it’s the third time in a row. We have a goal against Arsenal denied with handball, we have a goal against Leicester in the cup with a hand and today, it is a penalty but the foul goes against us.
“This has to stop of course but we were not worried at half-time. We just said ‘let’s do it again and force it’.”
Werner: My unluckiest season!
Werner was at the heart of the action throughout. After being denied a penalty in the first half, he won one for Jorginho’s breakthrough goal. He also had two goals disallowed – one for offside and one for handball.
“The first half was the picture of the whole season for me,” he told Sky Sports. “I was close but not really close.
“I think it’s the unluckiest season I’ve ever had and will have maybe. Offside, a clear penalty and then I want to make a header, I get a little push and I head it against my arm.
“But when you are so unlucky but you still reach the Champions League final and maybe reach the Champions League next season, everything is good.”
Tuchel, on the other hand, was hesitant to applaud Werner’s results, instead encouraging him to concentrate on Chelsea’s remaining games.
“It’s his responsibility to be involved in everything, and he needs to be involved again on Sunday,” Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said.
“Now is not the time for extra kudos. Enjoy it, shut up, take advantage of your free day, and prepare for Aston Villa only.” I’m not concerned; I just don’t feel at ease.
“I’m not worried, I just don’t feel comfortable now celebrating, I just say what’s needed.”
Rodgers proud despite defeat
Brendan Rodgers was disappointed by the manner of the goals Leicester conceded but praised the character they showed to rally in the closing stages and hailed their efforts this season.
“It was a great atmosphere, it’s brilliant to have the supporters back,” he told Sky Sports. “We had to weather that storm, which we knew would come in that first period of the game. We did that, but the nature of the goals we gave away wasn’t so good.
“But our reaction at 2-0, we kept fighting, we kept working, scored a very good goal. The only criticism is in that last 15 minutes, just having a little bit more craft and work our way into the box a little bit more.
“If we showed a little bit more patience we might have created one or two more opportunities but it wasn’t to be.
“It speaks volumes on where my players are at. You saw Chelsea at the end of the game, these are Champions League finalists and they’re overjoyed at the end of the game.
“They won, and that is something we really admire. We had a short turnaround, but my players gave it their all, and I’m so proud of them for going up against a top team with a lot of top players.
“We fought to the bitter end.” We’ll rest up now and prepare for the weekend.”
