Mauricio Pochettino Praises Chelsea's Important Victory In FA Cup Quarter-Finals

Chelsea successfully closed Leeds United. (photo: x @chelseafc)

JAKARTA - Mauricio Pochettino praised the important victory when Chelsea rose from disappointment in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday 25 February, to narrowly win against Leeds United, 3-2 Wednesday 28 February at Stamford Bridge Stadium, London. The Blues also successfully reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.

"We need this result," said Pochettino. "It wasn't a great performance. (Leeds) were a team full of confidence, a very strong team, they did fantastic things at the Championship.

"We had difficulties when you conceded after a few minutes. But the character we showed after this situation, it was a matter to learn from the team. I am very happy. We are avoiding extra time. We are in the quarter-finals which is our goal," said Pochettino.

"It's always difficult when you lose the final after extra time. We only have 72 hours or less to recover, it's always difficult. The efforts made are huge and I thank the players for making fantastic efforts," he added.

Pochettino repeated his refusal to satire from Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who said Chelsea had "worn" the Carabao Cup final against an injured Liverpool team.

"I can't be angry with (Neville)," he said. "With all my love for Gary, it's unfair to use this type of word for a very brave team, a club that always fights for big things."

"What can we do? Only with this type of performance show that we are brave and that we can win the game. Nothing can be said, just keep moving," he added.

"That doesn't matter to us. Because we know how we are and who we are, and how we behave. We know why we lost the match against Liverpool. This has nothing to do with this," said Pochettino.

"We know that we are brave and that we are working very hard. For us, it is not an important comment," he said.

Leeds coach Daniel Farke reflected on a match that fell out of hand due to a clinical finish from Chelsea. "The second goal (from Mudryk), class completion," he said. "The third goal, the very good action from Gallagher.

"I am disappointed that wherever we go, we want to win. I know it's unrealistic we will win the FA Cup, but I want to win this and step into the next round. We are a young team, without some key players," Farke said.