Chelsea

Graham Potter blames one major factor on yet another Chelsea defeat as pressure on Blues boss intensifies

Graham Potter Tottenham v Chelsea

Graham Potter blamed Chelsea’s sluggish start to the second-half for their London derby defeat at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday, a loss that will have heaped more pressure on his job.

Chelsea’s winless run extended to six games as Spurs heaped yet more misery on Potter with a 2-0 win in north London, in a game where the Blues looked blunt in attack again.

Potter’s side went down to second-half goals from Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane in a match where they rarely threatened and, despite a promising first period, visibly crumbled once Spurs took the lead.

Chelsea looked bereft of attacking ideas, and have now scored just a single goal in their last half-dozen outings in all competitions.

Potter’s task of hauling his side back into contention for the Premier League’s top four now looks increasingly insurmountable, with little on display against Tottenham to suggest the club’s huge January transfer outlay is paying off.

Chelsea are now 14 points off fourth place and 10 points from the relegation zone.

Potter rues second-half start

And speaking after the game, Potter told BBC Sport: “It was a tight game. It was even first half. We were probably the better team for the first 20 minutes and then they came into it.

“Overall we were happy enough with our performance and then the start of the second half has made it really difficult for us. Once you are one nil down they can defend a little bit deeper and with more numbers and play on the counter. We huffed and puffed without doing enough to score but overall it is a disappointing loss for us.

“It sums up where we are at [Tottenham’s opener]. We don’t get the first contact and then a save and then a not great clearance. There wasn’t too much in the game but those key moments are not going our way.

“You can feel the desire of the players to turn results around but sometimes you go through moments where you have to suffer.”

The Blues are back in action next Saturday when they host Leeds at Stamford Bridge.

READ MORE: Expert reveals how Chelsea have taken information from Arsenal to justify Graham Potter decision

Chelsea Graham Potter

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