Pochettino’s relief as Blues hang on to get job done

CHELSEA boss Mauricio Pochettino has been around long enough to know nothing is ever done and dusted in the Premier League.

Three up at Luton on 80 minutes, the Blues just managed to hang on for a first away win in four following a brave two-goal fightback from the hosts.

Afterwards, a relieved Pochettino said: “The emotions are hard. You try to help with decisions and the players’ game management on the pitch.

“Even when you’re winning 3-0, you are nervous always that something can happen to change the game.

“The Premier League is so tough. We see these type of games and scores happening every week.”

The Argentinian reserved special praise for Chelsea match-winner Cole Palmer, whose double at Kenilworth Road made it 10 goals for the campaign.

He added: “He’s become such an important player with the way he’s scoring.

“I’m so pleased. We got what we came for. It’s important. This gives us a good feeling for 2024.”

Surprisingly, opposite number Rob Edwards felt the same. Rather than collapse to a hefty defeat, the heroic Hatters almost pulled off the impossible.

The Luton boss said: “What pleased me most was it didn’t go four, five, six, seven. It can happen.

“But these guys are very special and showed it today. I’ll sleep well tonight knowing this. To think we almost rescued a point!”

Meanwhile, Pochettino reckons PFA calls to lessen the increasing number of games for elite players is worth discussing.

He added: “We need a solution. There have been too many injuries in the last few years. “