Chelsea 0
Aston Villa 1
There is comfort in complaining about injustice and Mauricio Pochettino could argue that his side's second consecutive defeat at an irate Stamford Bridge hinged on Jarred Gillett dismissing Malo Gusto early in the second half, allowing Aston Villa to take control of a game that had threatened to run away from them.
Yet the problem with blaming the officials is that Chelsea no longer make their own luck. They have lost the fear factor at home and the situation is unlikely to improve until their main striker learns how to stay onside and stops picking up cheap yellow cards.
How infuriating for Pochettino to see Nicolas Jackson ignore his advice about improving his behaviour and earn his fifth booking of the season for stopping Villa from taking a quick free-kick. Such folly epitomised this inexperienced group's indiscipline. No wonder Pochettino admitted that his team have to grow up. It was so unnecessary from Jackson - none of his cautions have been for a foul - and for all the fury over Gusto's red for a risky challenge on Lucas Digne the truth is that Chelsea would be better served examining their own failings at both ends of the pitch.
This story is from the September 25, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the September 25, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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