Chelsea boss hits out at complacency

– Maurizio Sarri accused his Chelsea players of over-confidence after throwing away a lead to lose 2-1 at Wolves on Wednesday.

Chelsea looked to be on course for victory thanks to Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s early opener as the visitors dominated the first half, but two goals in four second-half minutes saw Wolves secure their first win in seven games and inflict just Sarri’s second defeat since arriving in the summer.

Chelsea face the daunting task of halting Manchester City at Stamford Bridge tomorrow and Sarri suggested a jolt to their confidence could be a blessing, but declared himself “worried” by the manner of their defeat at Molineux.

“After this match we are less confident but maybe it’s better because sometimes my players show me that they have too much confidence,” said the Italian.

“I am really very worried, not for the result but the fact that after the first goal we conceded we did not react very well. I am really very worried about this.”

Chelsea missed several chances to extend their lead and were denied a possible penalty early in the second half when Alvaro Morata tangled with Wolves defender Willy Boly.

Yet Sarri refused to discuss the penalty appeal and insisted his decision to make five changes also wasn’t the cause of his side’s defeat.

“In the first 10 minutes of the second half we could have scored four or five. We had four chances but I don’t want to discuss those or the referee,” he added.

“I don’t think it depended on the changes, it depended on the mentality of the team. I saw a team without a reaction. You can lose a match but not without a reaction.”

Chelsea are now 10 points off City at the top of the table, but of more immediate concern are now only in the top four above Arsenal thanks to their superior goal difference. – AFP