Potter relieved at rare Chelsea victory

THERE was almost palpable relief on the pitch, in the tunnel and in the stands at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after Chelsea produced their first win in seven weeks with a stuttering 1-0 victory over struggling Leeds United.

Applause replaced the jeers of previous weeks and players, wreathed in smiles, hugged each other as they left the pitch.

Coach Graham Potter, who took over last September, has been under enormous pressure after a string of sparkless defeats and colourless draws.

The club, under American Todd Boehly and a consortium, spent some £300 million (about R6.6 billion) in the January transfer window, adding to the expectations to succeed, but Potter has had trouble turning his expensive array of talent into an effective attacking force.

Scoring 24 goals in 25 games is not a strike rate expected of the club used to flying high in the Premier League and who won the Champions League as recently as 2021.

So, even if Saturday’s win was less than spectacular, it transformed Potter’s post-match demeanour.

“It’s a big win,” a beaming Potter said.

“We are delighted with the win that’s for sure because we’ve had a tough period.”

France defender Wesley Fofana, who joined Chelsea at the start of the season, but was sidelined for several weeks with injury, scored the only goal of the game, rising above Leeds defenders to head home early in the second half.

“It’s really good for the players to win and to keep a clean sheet,” Potter said.

“It gives us confidence ... as we prepare for a massive game on Tuesday.”

Chelsea face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, needing to claw back a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

They will need to step up a gear to do that but Potter believes Saturday’s goal can be the start of many.

“If you create chances the goals will come because the quality of the players is there,” he said.

“I’m delighted for the players and for the supporters because they are the most important in the football club.”

Meanwhile, Phil Foden’s dip in form for Manchester City was only ever going to be temporary, manager Pep Guardiola said as he praised the winger for coming back from injury to find his magic touch once again.

Foden recorded his fourth goal in three games in all competitions to help City to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United that kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The winger had been in and out of the side due to an ankle injury suffered against Manchester United in January and Guardiola said the 22-year-old, facing the first adversity of his young career, lacked confidence on his return.

“(I told him) it was important to accept it, the struggle with his ankle, accept it,” Guardiola said on Saturday.

“That’s the most important thing. Don’t blame the opponent, don’t blame the manager or the club or the mates or whatever. Accept: I can do better. Come back to your principles and step by step you will be back.”

Foden showed brilliant control muscling through the Newcastle defence to give City the lead in the 15th minute on Saturday - his fourth goal in a week after netting one against Bournemouth and two against Bristol City in the FA Cup.

His diagonal shot glanced off the foot of Newcastle defender Sven Botman and into the net.