Mauricio Pochettino cancels Chelsea time off after Newcastle mauling
- Injury-ravaged Newcastle ran out convincing 4-1 winners at St James' Park
- Raheem Sterling's goal a rare bright spot on a difficult afternoon for Chelsea
- Pochettino refuses to blame players but admits performance was worst of the season so far
Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea's players will "train early tomorrow, no time off" after the heavy 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United.
The Blues were outclassed at St James' Park by a Newcastle side missing a number of key players because of injury.
Raheem Sterling cancelled out Alexander Isak's early goal for Newcastle but further strikes from Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon condemned Chelsea to a fifth Premier League defeat of the season.
Pochettino watched from the game from the stands as he was serving a touchline ban for accumulating three yellow cards this season, and he admitted after the game that Chelsea's performance was far below the standard required to compete.
"It was our worst game of the season. It was tough to be in the stands. We cannot complain about the result, we did not read the game from the beginning," the Argentine told Match of the Day. "We did not play how we should play, we showed a lack of intensity and energy. Even after we scored, at 1-1, it was a chance for us to force them to play deep, but it was so easy for Newcastle. That is why I am so upset with the performance.
"It is a young team, they need this type of situation to realise. We will go to the hotel, then train early tomorrow, no time off. We cannot blame the players, it is the team together. We need to understand the level we need to compete, and learn about this situation.
"There are many details, many things that build confidence and strength. We already know what is going on, and we will try to change the dynamic."
Pochettino added in his post-match press conference that Chelsea needed to put pressure on Newcastle after drawing level, but felt his side made it too easy for the Magpies to seize the advantage.
‘We showed a lack of intensity today and that’s disappointing, especially when we had got ourselves back in the game with Raheem’s goal," he continued. "At 1-1, I think that was the moment for us to take control of the game and force them deep and to put the pressure onto Newcastle.
"Unfortunately we didn’t do that, we didn’t have the intensity and I think we made it so easy for Newcastle. That is why I am so upset and frustrated with the result, but also the performance. That has to be much, much better because today was our worst performance of the season and that’s very disappointing"
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