What’s all the fuss says punchy Puel

CLAUDE Puel is a quiet and undemonstrative man. But there was a glint of anger in his eyes as he insisted he was baffled by speculation on his future following a performance of real resilience by his team. REPORTS in difficult periods to make the right analysis, because we have played well. We have to continue to keep this mentality. We have to keep our calm and try to get back into the top half of the table.”

Leicester now face a tough festive calendar – with a home game against Manchester City looming on Boxing Day. But Puel’s team, outplayed for 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge, dug in admirably to inflict Chelsea’s first home defeat.

Blues manager Maurizio Sarri said he was thinking of bringing in a psychologist to help his players get their minds in order, after another setback. He said it was “mental confusion”, rather than tactics or physical problems, that hampered his team.

“I had a sports psychologist 15 years ago in Italy but it was difficult, because the clubs were not ready then. But we can talk about it – why not?” said Sarri. “The reason we lost was not our physical condition. We were very good for 55 minutes and then two minutes after the goal we were in trouble. So I think there is another reason.”

Defender Antonio Rudiger agreed with his manager and said: “It’s a disaster. We don’t talk about the title any more. If we can’t win these games, we can’t compete. We only talk now about top four. Maybe it’s a lack of mentality. Stupid.”

Arrizabalaga 7; Azpilicueta 6, Rudiger 6, Luiz 6, Alonso 6; Kante 7, Jorginho 6 (Fabregas 75 6), Kovacic 6 (Loftus-Cheek 61 6); Pedro 6, Hazard 6, Willian 6 (Giroud 61 6). Watford (a), Boxing Day PL.

CHELSEA Booked: NEXT UP: Referee: (4-3-3): LEICESTER (4-3-3): NEXT UP:

Schmeichel 7; Pereira 7, Morgan 7, Maguire 6, Chilwell 8; Mendy 7, Ndidi 7, Choudhury 7; Albrighton 7, Vardy 7 (Iheanacho 83 6), Maddison 7 (Gray 82 6). Ndidi, Mendy. Vardy 51. Man City (h), Boxing Day PL. L Probert (Wiltshire).

Goal:

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