Despite suffering their third defeat in four games, Chelsea manager Graham Potter believes the Blues’ 2-0 EFL Cup loss to Manchester City on Wednesday was a “step forward.”
The Blues have only won two of their last seven games under Potter, who took over for Thomas Tuchel in September.
Potter made seven changes to his starting lineup from the side that lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, but he was encouraged despite the loss.
“I thought there were a lot of positives,” Potter said to reporters. “Obviously, we’re disappointed with the result, but in terms of how we played, we created some good chances, there was a better structure, and there was a higher level of performance.”
When compared to Arsenal, the team looked more like what we wanted. The boys displayed great bravery in taking on a top team..
“I think their goalkeeper was named man of the match, which tells a little bit of the story, but overall, I think it was a step forward for us.”
Potter’s team travels to third-placed Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday for their final game before the World Cup. Chelsea has lost all four league games..
We are concerned when we do not obtain the desired results “Potter stated. “In the last few games, our performances have also been disappointing. Tonight was a significant step forward in terms of how we want to play, and we can take heart from it.
“It’s a big game at Newcastle at 5.30 p.m. on TV, and it’ll be a great atmosphere. They’re doing well, so it’ll be a difficult game, but we have to go there and get three points.”
Potter was impressed with Lewis Hall, an 18-year-old midfielder for England’s youth team, after he made his second career start for the Blues..
In an energetic performance, Hall played 75 minutes and had a good chance saved by City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega late in the first half.
“I was very impressed with his performance,” Potter said. “He took charge, took the ball in tight spaces, attacked the box, and could have scored a couple of goals on another day.
It was a really nice, mature performance, in my opinion. He is a quiet young man who gets on with his work. I’ve been very impressed by him.”
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