The Blues risk losing their spot at the top of the Premier League after going down against their rivals in a thrilling clash
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel played down the significance of his side's shock 3-2 defeat to West Ham United on Saturday, while admitting that they could not afford to keep making mistakes if they want to remain in title contention.
The Blues led twice against their London rivals before going down to substitute Arthur Masuaku's winner three minutes from the end.
That defeat could now see them knocked off the Premier League summit, depending on results elsewhere.
What was said?
"We hate to lose, we have to digest it now," Tuchel explained to Match of the Day after the final whistle.
"It is not a performance to be mad about, but in detail we need to be better again.
"If we won the game nobody would have given us the title and if we lose it I don't think anybody else gets it this weekend."
Too many mistakes
Masuaku's winner came from what appeared to be a mishit cross that flew past Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea net.
Earlier Manuel Lanzini and Jarrod Bowen both hit to peg back Chelsea, who took the advantage on two occasions through Thiago Silva and Mason Mount; and Tuchel affirmed that his charges paid the price for their errors throughout the game.
"This is a goal that OK, happens, it happens because it happens, there are no mistakes, just a freak goal - the problem is that it is the winner," he added.
"We had too many mistakes before in our game because the performance was OK, we created half chances and were in control. Overall we did too many individual mistakes. If you do this for three consecutive games you cannot expect always to get a result.
"This will not change, the schedule is the schedule and we need to overcome tiredness, mentally and physically, otherwise we have an excuse. We did not get a gift today from West Ham and they also played Europa League in between.
"The schedule we play and effort we play, sometimes you feel tired, but you just need to accept it and control our risk management."
Latest Stories
-
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
2 hours -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
2 hours -
Arda Guler scores on first start in La Liga as Madrid beat Real Sociedad
3 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku’s Leicester City secures Premier League promotion after Leeds defeat
3 hours -
Anticipation builds as Junior Speller hosts nationwide auditions
3 hours -
Etse Sikanku: The driver’s mate conundrum
4 hours -
IMF Deputy Chief worried large chunk of Eurobonds is used to service debt
4 hours -
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II celebrates 25 years of peaceful rule on golden stool
4 hours -
We have enough funds to pay accruing benefits; we’ve never missed pension payments since 1991 – SSNIT
5 hours -
Let’s embrace shared vision and propel National Banking College – First Deputy Governor
5 hours -
Liverpool agree compensation deal with Feyenoord for Slot
5 hours -
Ejisu by-election: There’s no evidence of NPP engaging in vote-buying – Ahiagbah
5 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Independent ex-NPP MP’s campaign team warns party against dubious tactics
6 hours -
ZEN Petroleum supports Tse-Addo Future Leaders School
7 hours -
NPP must win back Adentan seat in 2024 polls – Obeng Fosu
7 hours