The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Now Blues boss Poch is the man under pressure
NEWCASTLE United players left the field looking devastated after their last trip to Stamford Bridge just before Christmas.
On a morale-crushing evening in the Carabao Cup, they were just minutes away from the semi-finals of the competition after leading for most of the night through Callum Wilson.
Then, after a hashed clearance from Kieran Trippier, it was Mykhailo Mudryk who struck to take the tie to penalties.
We all know what happened next as Trippier and Matt Ritchie missed their spot-kicks before they left the field with their heads down and Wembley hopes dashed.
But Newcastle have recovered from their festive hiccups and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is the man under pressure in the Premier League right now.
Having narrowly lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool, Chelsea fans aren’t happy and there are problems between the former Argentina star and Todd Boehly.
The Blues sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table in 11th and have not made much progress from last season’s 12th-placed finish under Frank Lampard despite a big summer spend.
As Chelsea drew 2-2 with Brentford at the weekend there was negative chants from the away end and calls from some disgruntled followers for Jose Mourinho to come in.
That has already set the tone for Monday night’s fixture in West London in which Sky Sports will be on the scene to go through events with a fine tooth comb.
When asked if he’d lost the fans somewhat, Pochettino said last weekend: “If they want to listen, perfect. If not, what can I do? They’ll keep booing. I’m giving my best to this team.
‘But we cannot blame the fans. My message is: ‘Okay, they need to show their frustration - through who? I prefer to me rather than to the team.’
“I prefer that, I am strong. I am sure that in time we will change the perception. I don’t want the fans trying to blame the players.
“Players need to feel backed by the fans and, to be honest, I prefer that I get the blame and let the players be free on the pitch. I don’t care. I am strong, I am 52 now.”
But the pressure is on Chelsea at the Bridge on Monday. Eddie Howe won’t need to be reminded of that and will have already factored the potential atmosphere into his team talks.
Go a goal or two up against the Blues on Monday night, and the points will be pretty much in the pocket with Stamford Bridge ready to turn. Chelsea’s hopes lie with the FA Cup now as they find themselves sway off the pace for Europe.
If those Mourinho chants begin to surface on Monday night, Howe will know his team have done something right. The walk off the pitch and back down the tunnel may also be more enjoyable.